The 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 amends the fee structure for 9-1-1 services, increasing the monthly fee from 75 cents to $1 per access line, while also establishing a fee for prepaid wireless services. The collection and distribution processes for these fees are clarified, ensuring that local and tribal governments hosting public safety answering points receive appropriate funding based on updated rules. The bill also emphasizes the importance of using existing commercial communications infrastructure and next-generation technologies in the planning and implementation of 9-1-1 services.

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(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: 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