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 clarifying the collection process for prepaid wireless services. It establishes that the department will allocate and distribute funds to local and tribal governments based on updated rules, ensuring that funding is equitable and considers factors such as population trends and call volume. The bill also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a statewide 9-1-1 plan that incorporates next-generation technologies and industry standards.

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