MontanaHB 53869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise 911 emergency telephone system laws

Sponsored By: Melissa Nikolakakos (Republican)

Became Law

CommunicationsEmergency and Disaster Services

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

New prepaid 9-1-1 rules for sellers

Sellers must collect the prepaid 9‑1‑1 fee on transactions that occur in Montana. A sale counts as in‑state if made at a Montana store, delivered to a Montana address, the seller’s records show a Montana address, the buyer gives a Montana address, or the mobile number is tied to Montana. Sellers kept all prepaid fees collected in the first quarter of 2022 and keep 2% of the fee per transaction after that. A parent company may centralize fee collection and remittance for its stores. Sellers are shielded from civil suits tied to providing or not providing 9‑1‑1 service and for lawful help to police.

How 9-1-1 money is split

From July 1, 2018 through the end of fiscal year 2022, quarterly 9‑1‑1 funds were split by each PSAP host’s 2017 share. Starting July 1, 2022, the Department uses rules to allocate funds each quarter. The rules use final census data and consider past funding, population, trends, and call volume, and ensure every PSAP‑hosting local or tribal government gets funding. The Department may not design allocations that punish PSAP mergers. After each final decennial census, it must update the allocation rules within one year and use them until the next update.

Stronger state oversight of 9-1-1

The Department runs the statewide 9‑1‑1 program and decides how fees are split. It must write clear rules for funding distributions and competitive grants, including who can apply, how awards are made, reporting, and repayment. It sets technology standards and baseline next‑generation 9‑1‑1 rules, tied to industry standards and the statewide plan. The Department publishes allowed uses, monitors spending, and can require information and hold back funds from local or tribal governments that do not comply. It may accept federal grants and private donations to support the program.

Annual grants for 9-1-1 upgrades

Beginning July 1, 2018, the Department awards competitive grants each year from the 9‑1‑1 account. Private telecom providers and local or tribal governments that host 9‑1‑1 centers can apply, including joint applications and pass‑throughs to providers. Grants can pay for planning, feasibility studies, building, running, and maintaining 9‑1‑1 systems, equipment, data, and support services. First preference goes to private providers or partnerships with them; second to local or tribal hosts applying alone.

Rebuilt statewide 9-1-1 advisory council

The law sets a 19‑member council led by the attorney general to advise on 9‑1‑1 policy. The council must meet quarterly within its budget. The Department is the council’s administrative home and pays for staffing and admin costs. The council advises on fee distribution, grants, the statewide 9‑1‑1 plan, and major rules. Members do not get a salary but can be repaid for travel under state rules.

Changes to 9-1-1 fees for users

The monthly 9‑1‑1 fee on each non‑prepaid access line increases from $0.75 to $1.00. A separate $0.25 per‑line grant fee still applies each month. Each prepaid wireless purchase in Montana is charged a $1.00 9‑1‑1 fee, but small buys of 10 minutes or less or $5 or less are exempt. You are legally responsible for the prepaid fee, and sellers who collect it must send it to the Department of Revenue. The prepaid fee is the only 9‑1‑1 charge allowed on prepaid service; no extra state or local 9‑1‑1 fees may be added.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Melissa Nikolakakos
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Denise Hayman
Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 288 • No: 1

House vote • 4/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 3/1/2025