The bill establishes the Public Safety Radio and Crime Victims Account within the special revenue fund, which will be funded by a new fee imposed on customers of telecommunications service providers capable of originating 911 calls. This fee, set at 50 cents per month for each customer access line, will cover costs related to portable radios and mobile radios interoperable with the statewide Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) system, as well as grants to crime victim service providers. The bill also mandates that half of the funds in this account be appropriated for grants to local government units and state agencies for purchasing or upgrading public safety communication equipment, while the other half will support direct services for crime victims, particularly in underserved communities.

Additionally, the bill requires the commissioner to submit an annual report detailing the account's financial activities and grants awarded, starting January 15, 2026. It includes amendments to existing statutes regarding fee collection and remittance processes, ensuring that the new public safety radio and crime victims fee is integrated into the existing framework for telecommunications fees. The provisions of this bill, including the fee and the account, are set to expire on June 30, 2033.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 403.11, 403.113, 403.161, 403.162