AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY ACT; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY WITHIN THE MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY; TO CREATE AN ADVISORY BOARD TO ADVISE THE AUTHORITY; TO REQUIRE THE AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER, RECEIVE, AND AUDIT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE CHARGES; TO REQUIRE THE AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP, ESTABLISH, AND PUBLISH A STATE NG911 PLAN; TO REQUIRE THE AUTHORITY TO PUBLISH MINIMUM STANDARDS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH ECD NG911 PLAN; TO PRESCRIBE THE AUTHORITY'S DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES; TO ESTABLISH THE NG911 CMRS GRANT FUND; TO DESCRIBE THE AUTHORITY'S POWERS; TO STIPULATE THAT ALL MONIES RECEIVED BY THE AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO THIS ACT SHALL BE DEEMED TRUST FUNDS; TO STIPULATE THAT THIS ACT SHALL BE LIBERALLY CONSTRUED TO EFFECT THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT FOR THE WELFARE OF THE STATE AND ITS INHABITANTS; TO ESTABLISH CONFIDENTIALITY FOR INFORMATION SUBMITTED TO THE AUTHORITY OR THE DEPARTMENT; TO STIPULATE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO THE AUTHORITY; TO OUTLINE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE CHARGES; TO STIPULATE THAT CHARGES COLLECTED BY SERVICE PROVIDERS SHALL BE REMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT ACCORDING TO CHAPTER 65 OF TITLE 27; TO CREATE CERTAIN PROVISIONS FOR THE REMITTANCE OF CHARGES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SERVICE CHARGE; TO ESTABLISH LIABILITY FOR THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE CHARGE; TO ACCOUNT FOR PREPAID WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE; TO PROVIDE FOR AUDIT AND APPEAL PROCEDURES; TO CREATE A TIMELINE FOR INTRODUCING THE NEW SYSTEM; TO STIPULATE THAT WIRELESS EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SERVICE SHALL NOT BE USED FOR PERSONAL USE; TO ACCOUNT FOR DEPOSIT AND DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS COLLECTED UNDER THIS ACT; TO REQUIRE ECDS TO SUBMIT FINANCIAL AND PROGRAM REPORTS TO THE AUTHORITY ADVISORY BOARD ON AN ANNUAL BASIS; TO REQUIRE EACH ECD TO ADOPT AN NG911 PLAN NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31, 2030; TO AMEND SECTION 19-5-305, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF AN ECD; TO AMEND SECTION 19-5-307, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 19-5-315, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 19-5-317, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 33-15-14, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE AGENCY TO SERVE AS THE STATEWIDE COORDINATOR FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 19-5-303, 19-5-311, 19-5-313, 19-5-331, 19-5-333, 19-5-335, 19-5-337, 19-5-339, 19-5-341, 19-5-343, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, RELATED TO THE EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SERVICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 19-5-301, 19-5-305, 19-5-307, 19-5-315, 19-5-317, 33-15-14, 33-15-7, 19-5-343
Committee Substitute: 19-5-301, 19-5-305, 19-5-307, 19-5-315, 19-5-317, 33-15-14, 33-15-7
As Passed by the Senate: 19-5-301, 19-5-305, 19-5-307, 19-5-315, 19-5-317, 33-15-14, 33-15-7
Approved by the Governor: 19-5-305, 19-5-307, 19-5-315, 19-5-317, 33-15-14