House Bill No. 463, introduced by Representative McMakin, amends R.S. 33:9109(C)(2) to increase the maximum allowable emergency telephone service charge for commercial mobile radio services (CMRS) from $1.25 to $2 per month per wireless connection. The bill retains the provision that districts may charge the higher rate that they were authorized to levy as of August 1, 2016. Additionally, it mandates that each communications district that imposes a service charge must submit an annual report detailing revenue collected, expenditures, performance metrics, and improvements funded by the service charge.

The bill also establishes conditions under which a communications district can levy a service charge exceeding $1.25 per month. Specifically, any proposed increase must be approved by a majority vote of the governing district and requires at least one public hearing with prior notice published in the official journal of the parish or municipality. The legislation is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
HB463 Original: 33:9109(C)(2)
HB463 Engrossed: 33:9109(C)(2)
HB463 Reengrossed: 33:9109(C)(2)