More States Limit Use of 911 Funds in 2011

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has submitted its annual audit of state-level 911 funds to Congress, reporting that a record number of states are limiting use of the money to 911-related projects. According to surveys returned from 47 states and several U.S. territories, 39 states spend 911 fees as they were originally intended, and only seven jurisdictions allow use of 911 funds for other state projects. In 2009, the first year the information was collected for Congress, 33 states limited 911 fund expenditures to 911 projects, and 12 allowed use on other projects. The audit also studied the source of funds, and during 2011 found that 20 states collect 911 fees on a state level, eight on a local level, and 20 on both state and local. Those figures didn’t change much from 2009 survey results. The total of 911 fees reported by the states was over $2 billion, although 12 states had incomplete figures. Among the states that allowed use of 911 fee for other purposes, the FCC found that most were public safety-related projects. Download (pdf) the full FCC report for state-by-state data.

The following press release was issued the day after the FCC released its report.

National Public Safety Organizations and Wireless Industry Respond to FCC Report on 9-1-1 Fund Diversion

Finds seven states collected 9-1-1 fees from consumers but used the funds to support other programs

Alexandria, VA – Today, national organizations representing the public safety and wireless industries released the following statements in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) 3rd Annual Report to Congress on State Collection and Distribution of 911 and Enhanced 911 Fees and Charges:

From National Emergency Number Association President Rick Galway, ENP:
“Lives are saved every day thanks to America’s 9-1-1 system. Decades of government leadership and steady technological progress have given citizens a reliable 9-1-1 system they can trust. In return, citizens trust their state and local governments to responsibly manage the funds collected to pay for 9-1-1 systems. Misuse of 9-1-1 funds not only puts one of the nation’s most critical systems at risk; it also breaks the trust established with the public.

“Unfortunately, some state and local governments continue to see 9-1-1 revenues as a funding source for other programs. Funds the public remits in good faith specifically for 9-1-1 purposes must be used to further 9-1-1’s most basic purpose: to ensure that 9-1-1 callers can quickly be located in emergency situations and receive an effective emergency response. NENA encourages Congress, the FCC, and leaders in all fifty states to take action to end the practice of redirecting 9-1-1 fee revenues and ensure 9-1-1 systems have the funding necessary for the technological upgrades necessary to keep pace with consumer expectations and enable the seamless sharing of voice, text, video, and other data between citizens, 9-1-1 centers, and first responders.”

From CTIA-The Wireless Association’s Vice President of External and State Affairs, Jamie Hastings:

“Every day, 396,000 9-1-1 calls are made on wireless devices. With almost 30 percent of wireless-only Americans, mobile consumers pay more than $2 billion a year for their states’ 9-1-1 funds to ensure our nation’s first responders are properly equipped to handle wireless distress calls. Wireless carriers are required to provide truthful descriptions of the line items on their customers’ bills; state governments should be held to the same standard.

“Even though the number of states that are poaching from the 9-1-1 funds has declined, it is gravely disappointing to see states blatantly ignore what is best for their citizens and first responders. CTIA and the wireless industry remain ardent supporters of the public safety community and are committed to working with Congress and the FCC to stop states from misappropriating these funds.”

From iCERT-The Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies’ Executive Director, George Rice:
“Our nation’s 9-1-1 professionals make technology investment decisions every day. The resources available to them sit as a guide for these decisions as they look to improve their systems and ensure effective deployment of emergency services.

“Assurance of funding for 9-1-1 services and necessary enhancements is a critical component for planning at the agency and jurisdiction levels. When these funds are diverted, planning becomes far more reactionary and less strategic, thus diminishing the effectiveness of our nationwide emergency response infrastructure.

“The Industry Council stands fast with our state and local government partners, and with allied associations, in our collective efforts to garner and safeguard the resources required to deliver emergency services to those in need.”

From APCO International President Gregg Riddle:

“APCO International strongly believes that raiding 9-1-1 fees jeopardizes public safety’s ability to acquire and implement existing, as well as new and emerging, technologies necessary to continue receiving and responding to emergency situations and providing essential emergency services to citizens.

“We must ensure that public safety has the funds it needs not only to answer 9-1-1 calls, but to take action and dispatch emergency services to calls for help in critical situations. We recognize the fact that many States and local communities are facing tough economic times and large budget deficits, but we caution that this is not a reason to be penny wise and pound foolish by depleting funds that are essential to 9-1-1 and emergency communications operations.”