This bill revises various aspects of Montana's emergency telephone system laws, specifically focusing on the 9-1-1 Advisory Council, planning, fee collection, and grant distribution. Notably, the membership of the 9-1-1 Advisory Council is increased from 18 to 19 members, with the addition of a representative from the Montana chapter of the National Emergency Number Association. The council's duties are also updated to include advising on the allocation and distribution of 9-1-1 fees and grants, while the requirement to develop a statewide 9-1-1 plan has been removed.

Additionally, the bill modifies the fee structure for 9-1-1 services, increasing the monthly fee for access lines from 75 cents to $1, and establishes a new fee for prepaid wireless services. It also clarifies the responsibilities of sellers in collecting these fees and outlines the distribution of funds to local and tribal governments that host public safety answering points. The department is tasked with adopting rules for the allocation and distribution of funds, ensuring that the process is based on various factors, including call volume and population trends. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the 9-1-1 system in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_1(1): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_1(2): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_1(3): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_1(4): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_1(5): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_1: 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_X(1): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_X(10): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_X(2): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_X(3): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_X(4): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_X(5): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_X(6): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_X(7): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_X(8): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_X(9): 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306
HB0538_X: 10-4-105, 10-4-106, 10-4-107, 10-4-108, 10-4-201, 10-4-213, 10-4-214, 10-4-305, 10-4-306