State Collection and Distribution of 911 and Enhanced 911 Fees and Charges

The Federal Communications Commission released its third annual report regarding states that have diverted any portion of the 911 fees they collect for purposes other than 911 programs. The Report to Congress on was submitted to Congress on November 1, 2011.

The Commission submits this report annually pursuant to the New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008 (NET 911 Act). The information contained in the report is based on information provided to the Commission by states and U.S. territories regarding their collection and expenditure of fees or charges to support 911 or Enhanced 911 (E911) services. This year's report identifies seven states that, in part, used some portion of 911 fees for non-911 purposes in 2010. This represents a decline in the number of states that reported diverting 911 fees for non-911 purposes in previous years: the FCC’s first annual report in 2009 identified 12 states that had diverted 911 funds, while the second annual report in 2010 identified 13 states that had diverted funds.

Arizona, Illinois, Oregon and Rhode Island diverted 911 fees to their state’s general fund.

Virginia and West Virginia used the diverted fees for other public safety-related purposes. South Dakota could not provide expenditure information at this time.
In conjunction with release of this year’s report, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued a Public Notice proposing to collect more detailed information from states and U.S. territories regarding their collection and use of 911 fees, including whether such fees are or can be used to support Next Generation 911 (NG911) initiatives. The Public Notice also seeks comment on whether the FCC should recommend potential legislative changes to Congress that would provide greater accountability in the collection and expenditure of 911 funds.