Bill Description: House Bill 530 would triple the "emergency communications fee" that may be assessed per phone line. 

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Does it directly or indirectly create or increase any taxes, fees, or other assessments? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce any taxes, fees, or other assessments?

Idaho law allows voters in a county or "911 service area" to "authorize funding to support implementation of a consolidated emergency communications system." This funding is deemed an "emergency communications fee" and is currently capped at $1.00 per month per phone line. 

House Bill 530 would amend sections 31-4803 and 31-4803, Idaho Code, to triple the maximum "emergency communications fee" from $1.00 per month per phone line to $3.00 per month per phone line.

This bill is problematic for two reasons. The first is that it increases fees, making phone service more expensive for everyone. 

The second problem is how this change would be implemented. While voters were originally required to authorize the $1.00 per month per phone line fee, this tripling of the fee would not require voter authorization. The increase would only require approval by the board of commissioners of a countywide system or by the governing board of a 911 service area. 

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