When Hoosiers call 911 in an emergency, they want to know that someone will answer the phone quickly.
Throughout the state, emergency dispatch centers are partially funded through a $1 per month 911 fee that is added to cell phone bills every month.
This session, the Indiana General Assembly passed House Enrolled Act 1207, which extends the timeline for the Indiana Statewide 911 Board to increase the fee to $1.10.
For the last several years, the board has had the opportunity to increase the fee to $1.10 per month, but it has not needed to. However, the 911 board may need to increase the fee in the future to help cover these extra costs due to rising inflation.
While this decision would not be easy to make, ensuring someone answers in an emergency is and should remain a top priority.
By extending the timeline, the board will have until June 30, 2026 to decide whether or not it needs to increase the fee.
Any increase cannot be more than $1.10.
This new law does not necessarily mean the board will increase the fee, rather, it simply gives them more time to make a decision in case an increase is needed.
House Enrolled Act 1207 received bipartisan support this year and has been signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
As always, feel free to contact my office directly with your questions and concerns by email at Senator.Messmer@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48, which
includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
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