HB 463: DISTRICTS/COMMUNICATIONS: Provides relative to emergency communications service charges - Louisiana

HB463 Original → HB463 Act 947 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Louisiana law to increase the maximum monthly emergency telephone service charge that communications districts can levy on wireless providers from $1.25 to $2.00, while allowing a specific parish to charge up to $1.85. It also adds new requirements for districts to hold public hearings and obtain majority approval before raising these fees, and mandates annual reporting of 911 financial data and performance metrics to state legislators.

Scope change

The bill applies to all communications districts in Louisiana but introduces a specific exception for the Terrebonne Parish Communications District, which is permitted a different maximum charge rate.

FISCAL

Increased the maximum allowable CMRS emergency telephone service charge from $1.25 to $2.00 per month per connection, or the 2016 rate if higher.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that any increase in the service charge must be approved by a majority vote of the governing district and supported by at least one public hearing with prior notice.

Established a new annual reporting requirement for 911 districts to submit consolidated financial and performance reports to state committees and post them online.

EXCEPTIONS

Created a specific exception allowing the Terrebonne Parish Communications District to levy a maximum charge of $1.85 per month.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the act from January 1, 2027, to August 1, 2026.

HB463 Enrolled → HB463 Original · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill increases the maximum monthly emergency telephone service charge that communications districts can levy on wireless providers from $1.25 to $2.00. It also updates the effective date of the act from August 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027, and removes a specific exception that allowed the Terrebonne Parish Communications District to charge a lower rate.

Scope change

The bill applies to all communications districts in Louisiana that levy service charges on commercial mobile radio service providers.

FISCAL

Raised the maximum allowable monthly service charge from $1.25 to $2.00 per wireless connection.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the legislation from August 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027.

ELIGIBILITY

Deleted a specific provision that allowed the Terrebonne Parish Communications District to charge a lower rate of $1.85.

REQUIREMENT

Removed detailed reporting requirements, public hearing mandates, and notice procedures that were present in the enrolled version but absent in the original bill text.

HB463 Reengrossed → HB463 Enrolled · 5 edits · May 31, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the maximum emergency telephone service charge that communications districts can levy from $1.25 to $2.00 per month, effective August 1, 2026. It also mandates stricter reporting requirements, requiring districts to submit detailed financial and performance data to state committees and post these reports online. Additionally, the bill removes a special provision that allowed the Terrebonne Parish Communications District to charge a higher rate of $1.85.

Scope change

The bill applies to all communications districts in Louisiana levying emergency service charges, while removing a specific exception for Terrebonne Parish.

FISCAL

Increased the maximum allowable monthly service charge from $1.25 to $2.00 per wireless connection.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the new charge limit from January 1, 2027, to August 1, 2026.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for districts to post consolidated annual reports on their public websites within ten days of submission.

Expanded reporting requirements to include specific line-item expenditures for PSAP personnel, operating costs, and performance metrics like call answer times.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the special provision allowing Terrebonne Parish to levy a service charge of up to $1.85 per month.

HB463 Engrossed → HB463 Reengrossed · 3 edits · May 12, 2026

MINOR

This bill updates the maximum monthly service charge a communications district can levy for emergency telephone services from $1.25 to $2.00. It also clarifies that any proposed increase must be approved by a majority vote of the district's governing body, rather than the local parish or municipality. Additionally, specific language regarding the Terrebonne Parish Communications District was removed to ensure uniform application across all districts.

Scope change

The bill's scope was broadened by removing a specific exception for the Terrebonne Parish Communications District, ensuring the new rules apply uniformly to all communications districts.

FISCAL

Increased the maximum allowable monthly service charge for emergency telephone services from $1.25 to $2.00.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the approval authority for service charge increases from the local parish or municipality to the communications district's own governing body.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed a specific provision that allowed the Terrebonne Parish Communications District to levy a lower maximum charge of $1.85.

DISTRICTS/COMMUNICATIONS: Provides relative to emergency communications service charges

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