Texas Senate Bill SB1587

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/14/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/13/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/18/09

Caption

Relating to a uniform and statewide 9-1-1 emergency services fee on the retail sale of prepaid wireless telecommunications services to consumers.

Impact

The bill outlines that this fee will be the only 9-1-1 funding obligation imposed on prepaid wireless telecommunications in Texas. Consequently, no additional taxes, fees, or surcharges relating to 9-1-1 services can be levied at the state or local government level on either sellers or consumers involved in this segment. This exclusivity is designed to simplify the funding landscape while ensuring that emergency service operations are effectively supported by consistent financial contributions from users of prepaid services.

Summary

SB1587 aims to establish a uniform and statewide 9-1-1 emergency services fee applicable to the retail sale of prepaid wireless telecommunications services in Texas. The bill specifies that beginning January 1, 2010, sellers of prepaid wireless services will collect a fee of 50 cents from consumers at the point of sale. This fee is intended to support the funding of emergency services, ensuring that consumers who use prepaid wireless phones contribute to the 9-1-1 services critical for public safety.

Contention

One notable point of contention is the impact of the fee on consumers who rely on prepaid wireless services, particularly lower-income individuals and those who may not use 9-1-1 services frequently. Critics may argue that the bill imposes an additional financial burden on those who are already economically disadvantaged by requiring them to pay for a service they may rarely use. In contrast, support for the bill emphasizes the importance of funding essential emergency services to maintain adequate public safety standards across the state.