All Roll Calls
Yes: 229 • No: 0
NebraskaLB362109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Transfer and eliminate provisions of the Emergency Telephone Communications Systems Act and the Enhanced Wireless 911 Services Act and change provisions of the 911 Service System Act
Sponsored By: Wendy DeBoer
Signed by Governor
Transportation and Telecommunications Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Deadlines to upgrade 911 and link 988
911 and the 988 crisis line must connect both ways by January 1, 2025. By January 1, 2026, providers must send all 911 calls to the NG911 network with routing and location in IP format, with agreements in place 10 months earlier. Every county must have NG911 enhanced service by July 1, 2026.
Dedicated 911 fund and local use rules
Nebraska runs a 911 Service System Fund for statewide and local 911 costs. The PSC decides who can receive money and for what, like equipment, training, upgrades, and NG911 core services. Local 911 surcharge revenue must be kept in a separate fund and used only for 911, with year‑end balances carried forward. Local governments can contract with 911 suppliers or partner agencies. Each year they set the local surcharge rate by September 1 and must give suppliers 90 days’ notice before a new rate starts. The PSC and state 911 director can also seek and distribute federal 911 funds.
PSC now leads Nebraska 911 system
The Public Service Commission (PSC) oversees the state’s 911 laws and is the only place to start certain telecom cases. The PSC must set rules to run the statewide 911 system. A 911 advisory committee helps guide the work, and a state 911 director runs day‑to‑day operations. The law also makes clear that running 911 service is a basic government power.
Stronger reporting and penalties for 911 reliability
The NG911 contractor sends a yearly report by November 15 on network capabilities and backups. Providers that file FCC 911 outage reports must also file them with the PSC; these reports are confidential, and the PSC holds a public hearing within 90 days unless waived. The PSC can fine a wireless carrier up to $10,000 per day for proven violations of state wireless 911 rules.
Legal protections for NG911 operators
People and companies that run NG911 and handle its data get legal immunity for their 911 work. This does not protect negligence or intentional wrongdoing.
DHHS runs the 988 crisis line
Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services oversees the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. DHHS hires counselors and runs call centers. DHHS must work with the PSC so 988 and 911 can share and transfer calls.
Providers must register and certify equipment security
Communications providers must register with the PSC, pay a fee up to $50, keep contacts current, and certify each year by January 1 that they do not use equipment on the federal Covered List. The PSC can fine providers who fail to comply. Even if a service is not otherwise regulated, providers must still contribute to the state’s 911 and universal service funds.
Carriers must send 911 fees, keep records
Wireless carriers must remit collected 911 surcharges monthly within 60 days and file quarterly county‑level reports. They must keep records for five years and can be audited, with limits on how often and who pays. Landline service suppliers must remit local 911 surcharges quarterly within 60 days, file a return, keep records for one year, and can be audited by the local government. Mobile service taxes are sourced to the customer’s primary place of use, and providers are protected if they use an approved assignment database or enhanced ZIP code.
Small 911 fees on phone bills
Most phone bills include small 911-related charges. Wireless lines pay a monthly 911 fee capped at $0.70 per line, or $0.50 in metro-class counties. Landline and wireless numbers can also be charged up to $0.20 per month for the state relay system. Local governments may add up to $0.50 per number, and in non‑metro counties they may add another $0.50 after public notice and a hearing. You never pay these local surcharges on more than 100 numbers on one bill in the same 911 area. Prepaid wireless buyers pay a single statewide prepaid surcharge set each January 1, and the law blocks any extra state or local 911/relay/USF fees on prepaid. Each year the state holds a public hearing and sets the wireless 911 surcharge within these caps.
Old 911 statutes repealed and replaced
The law repeals prior emergency telephone laws and consolidates them into a new framework. This cleans up older rules and aligns them with the statewide 911 system.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Wendy DeBoer
legislature
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 38 • No: 0 • Other: 11
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 33 • No: 0 • Other: 16
legislature vote • 3/6/2025
Final Reading
Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1
legislature vote • 2/19/2025
Vote
Yes: 33 • No: 0 • Other: 16
legislature vote • 2/5/2025
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
legislature vote • 2/5/2025
Vote
Yes: 38 • No: 0 • Other: 11
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on March 11, 2025
3/12/2025legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
3/6/2025legislaturePassed on Final Reading 48-0-1
3/6/2025legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
3/6/2025legislaturePresented to Governor on March 6, 2025
3/6/2025legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
2/24/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER8 adopted
2/19/2025legislatureDeBoer AM255 adopted
2/19/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
2/19/2025legislatureDeBoer AM255 filed
2/13/2025legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER8
2/11/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER8 filed
2/11/2025legislatureDeBoer AM140 filed
2/5/2025legislatureDeBoer AM140 adopted
2/5/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
2/5/2025legislaturePlaced on General File
1/30/2025legislatureReferred to Transportation and Telecommunications Committee
1/21/2025legislatureNotice of hearing for January 27, 2025
1/21/2025legislatureDate of introduction
1/16/2025legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
3/12/2025
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted