Sunset of 911 Monthly Fee

August 2025

In 2023, the General Assembly approved a temporary, two-year increase in the 911 fee on wireless, wireline and VOIP customers – from $1.65 per line to $1.95 per line per month. That current rate is set to expire in January 2026.
Pennsylvanians pay more in 911 surcharges than any other state in the country. With the $1.95 fee, Pennsylvanians now pay $386 million in 911 surcharges per year, $16 million more than what was estimated when it was passed in 2023. Residents of states with larger populations pay far less than Pennsylvanians: Californians pay $185 million, Texans pay $279 million, and Floridians pay $134 million. Even with the fee at $1.65 per line per month, the surcharge generates $325 million per year.
Pennsylvanians pay about $29.50 per capita in 911 surcharges, second only to West Virginians. However, West Virginia does not impose any other taxes or fees on wireless services, while Pennsylvania imposes the state and local sales tax and a 5% gross receipts tax in addition to the 911 surcharge.
Pennsylvanians pay nearly double the national average and pay significantly higher 911 surcharges. The average 911 surcharge in the U.S. is $1.05 per month. Compared to states with larger populations, Pennsylvanians pay: 4.5 times more than both California ($0.41/line/month) and Florida ($0.40/line/month), over 3 times more than Texas ($0.56/line/month), and one-third more than New York ($1.50/line/month).
Pennsylvanians have paid significant 911 surcharge increases, but NG911 upgrades have lagged behind. In 2015, the General Assembly raised the 911 surcharge from $1.00 to $1.65 per month to pay for next generation 911 (NG911) upgrades, yet hardly any progress was made on NG911 upgrades in most counties. Although the upgrades are mostly now complete 10 years later, a significant, statewide outage occurred in the spring.
Before considering any further increases in the 911 surcharge, the General Assembly should provide additional oversight and accountability to determine why the $750 million raised between 2016 and 2023 was not used for NG911 upgrades. Furthermore, the General Assembly should receive a full accounting for the additional $126 million generated from the 2023 increase, and any additional expenditures necessary to complete the transition to NG911 should be funded from local and state general funds.

Desired outcome: The communications industry recommends freezing the current rate until measures are in place for greater accountability.