Pennsylvania House Bill HB1622

Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 8/16/23
• Refer: 8/16/23

Caption

In alternative form of regulation of telecommunications services, providing for compensation to volunteer fire companies for outages of 911 systems.

Impact

The enactment of HB1622 would directly affect public utility laws regarding telecommunications in Pennsylvania, providing a financial framework for volunteer fire companies that respond to service outages. This change is significant as it recognizes the vital role that volunteer fire departments play in community safety and emergency response. By instituting a compensation mechanism, the bill seeks to alleviate the financial burden on these organizations, allowing them to better allocate resources and personnel during critical incidents.

Summary

House Bill 1622 amends Title 66 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, focusing on the regulation of telecommunications services. The core provision of the bill establishes compensation for volunteer fire companies that are required to maintain a volunteer firefighter at their station during outages of the 911 system due to telecommunications system failures. This compensation is set at a rate of $1,000 per hour for each volunteer firefighter maintained at the station in response to such outages. The bill aims to ensure that volunteer fire companies are adequately supported during emergencies when communication systems fail.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around HB1622 appears to be supportive, particularly among stakeholders in the emergency services sector. Volunteer fire companies and their advocates likely view the bill positively, seeing it as a much-needed recognition of their efforts and sacrifices during emergencies. However, discussions may also involve concerns about the implications of funding and whether such compensation can be sustainably integrated into existing budgets for emergency services and telecommunications.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise around the specifics of how such compensations are funded and administered. There could also be debates on whether the compensation amount is sufficient, particularly considering the expenses involved in maintaining emergency services. Additionally, legislators may question the implications of holding telecommunications companies liable for outages, which could lead to broader discussions on infrastructure reliability and the responsibilities of private companies in ensuring effective public services.