Arizona, Illinois, Oregon and Rhode Island diverted 911 fees to...
Arizona, Illinois, Oregon and Rhode Island diverted 911 fees to their state’s general fund while Virginia and West Virginia used diverted fees for other public safety-related purposes, said the FCC’s third annual report to the Congress about states that have…
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diverted 911 fees. The states’ governor’s offices couldn’t be reached immediately for comment. The report, released Tuesday, was submitted to Congress Nov. 1. In conjunction with the report, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau proposed to collect more detailed information from states and U.S. territories about their collection and use of 911 fees, including whether such fees are or can be used to support Next Generation 911 initiatives, a public notice said. It also seeks comment on whether the agency should recommend potential legislative changes to Congress that would provide more accountability in the collection and expenditure of 911 funds. The good news is there are fewer states this year diverting 911 funds to non-public safety purposes, Chairman Julius Genachowski said. The FCC seeks input on the most effective use of 911 fees to enable the transition to next generation emergency communications and on recommendations to Congress to ensure “its laws have real teeth,” he said. Many states and local communities are facing a tough economy and budget deficits but that’s not the reason to be “penny wise and pound foolish by depleting funds that are essential to 911 and emergency communications operations,” said Gregg Riddle, president of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials. Even though there are fewer states that are poaching from the 911 funds, it’s disappointing to see states “blatantly ignore what is best for their citizens and first responders, CTIA Vice President Jamie Hastings said. The National Emergency Number Association urged ending the practice of redirecting 911 fee revenue.