Status Update: Fixing 9-1-1 Fee Diversion

It's now been almost ten months since my colleague, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, and I penned an op-ed in The Hill reaffirming the need to end states' diversion of critical 9-1-1 fees collected from consumers to non-9-1-1 functions. Since that time, important legislation has been introduced and considered in the House of Representatives that would provide the Commission with an enhanced role in determining what exactly constitutes 9-1-1 fee diversion. This is an important step. Once the Commission provides a clear definition of diversion, and states may no longer thwart consumer expectations by passing laws permitting such diversion, diversionary practices should decline. But a more comprehensive bill may be needed to deal with recalcitrant states committed to diversion.