The Maine legislature is considering a bill that would—for at least the third time—change the surcharge on monthly telephone bills to support the state’s E911 system, and would expand the surcharge to some non-voice devices, including iPads. The bill proposed by Rep. Stacey Fitts (R) would increase the surcharge from the current 45¢ a month to 50¢ to fund improvements for a next-generation 911 (NG911) network. The surcharge was originally 50¢ in 2008 when it was lowered to 30¢, the same year the state diverted the E911 surplus to the general fund. In 2009 the surcharge was increased to 45¢. In addition to a surcharge increase, the bill would add voice-over-Internet (VoIP) devices to those subject to the surcharge, including iPads using a cellular carrier under a monthly plan. Download (pdf) the proposed bill here., and read more about the bill here.
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