Rhode Island Lawmakers at Hearing Urge End to 911 Fee Diversion
Lawmakers in longtime 911 fee diverter Rhode Island now seek to end that practice and direct support to the state’s emergency-number program. Tuesday, the House Finance Committee heard testimony on five 911 bills sponsored by Republicans and Democrats: HB-7289, HB-7313,…
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HB-7847, HB-7896 and HB-8091. Activity on the issue ramped up after FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly visited the state, and Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) staff's said she's receptive to updating state law to end such moves (see 1803200052). “There’s at least five, six initiatives on the table,” said Rep. Robert Lancia (R), who sponsored three bills, including one to require such fee revenue to be used only for 911. “We need to address this in some way, shape or fashion.” It’s a “people issue,” he stressed. Call centers are understaffed, while 911 workers are underpaid at about $16 per hour, he said. Lancia described poor lighting and old, uncomfortable chairs in a 911 center he visited. Rep. Robert Phillips (D), sponsoring a bill to repeal fees and replace them with a budget appropriation to fund the E-911 system, said “a lot of people are upset” about fees being used inappropriately. “We need to address this really rapidly before … we have an incident where the 911 personnel cannot get there quick enough so they can save a person’s life.” The committee held all bills at the hearing for further study, a common procedural step in Rhode Island that doesn’t imply the demise of legislation.