The Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania (BCAP) appreciates the opportunity to comment on House Bill 1304, legislation regarding 911 emergency services funding. BCAP is an association of Pennsylvania cable operators, equipment suppliers, and programmers that provide broadband communications services in every Pennsylvania county. 911 service, the ability to gain immediate access to emergency dispatching of police protection or life safety services, is a fundamental function of government. This issue is complex – these services are critical. We need to get it right.
Increasing the 911 fee by 19.4% ($1.65 to $1.97 per month), followed by annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index, burdens families that have multiple cell phones and are already struggling with high inflation rates. Today, Pennsylvania collects more revenue from 911 fees than any other state. If HB 1304 is enacted, consumers in Pennsylvania will pay the second highest state 911 fee in the nation, and the most of any populated state. While a 911 fee increase may be justified, tying future funding to the Consumer Price Index is not. Before the General Assembly locks in guaranteed emergency funding, there needs to be more accountability at the state and county levels for unrestrained cost increases. The proposed extension of the sunset until 2029 removes legislative oversight over an emergency communications system with limited cost controls. BCAP would respectfully recommend a one-year extension of the sunset with a 911 fee increase to $1.97 per month.
The extension will give us time to take a more comprehensive view of emergency services in the Commonwealth and how we pay for them. The Pennsylvania General Assembly, emergency service professionals, representatives of county government, and the telecommunications industry need to be integrally involved in the process to develop the best long-term solution for Pennsylvania.
In terms of future efficiencies, where is the plan to consolidate 911 centers? Consumers should not foot the bill for 911 centers in every county – this is particularly relevant since many 911 centers cannot fill their current positions with trained responders. With today’s technology, a handful of PSAP facilities in Pennsylvania would be more than enough to handle the Commonwealth’s needs.
FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly said back in 2015, “If we were to build a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) system today from scratch – knowing what we know about network architecture and emergency communications – there would be considerably fewer PSAPs. By some estimate, the current structure would be able to operate at optimal efficiency with as few as three [PSAPs] nationwide. Others argue that there should be no more than one [PSAP] per state. Part of your task is to help determine the number of PSAPs that are necessary to operate an efficient network and do so to the best of your ability, absent political considerations.”
What county is next in line to build a state-of-the-art emergency services facility and at what cost? BCAP members around the state are active in local fire departments and as emergency responders. We treasure these folks. It’s incumbent on us to safeguard and maximize every tax dollar. Unfortunately, 911 funding linked to CPI ensures PEMA and local agencies have no incentive to consolidate services and responsibly use the dollars taken from the wallet of every Pennsylvanian. BCAP opposes HB 1304 as introduced.
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Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania
127 State St., Harrisburg PA 17101
717.214.2000 * www.BCAPA.com * @BCAPisBroadband
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