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
18 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 4 costs, 5 mixed.
NG911 routing and county upgrades by 2026
By January 1, 2026, providers must route all 911 calls with location data over next‑generation (IP‑based) 911 networks. Counties must have NG911 service in place by July 1, 2026. Providers must agree on interconnection timelines or ask the commission to resolve issues. These steps improve call delivery and emergency response statewide.
State 911 fund: sources and payouts
The 911 Service System Fund holds state 911 surcharges, federal 911 money, and other designated funds. The commission sets who can get money and for what, like equipment, upgrades, licenses, training, and next‑gen core services. PSAPs can apply, must document costs, and the commission may limit payments and is not required to fund more than one PSAP per county. Recipients must provide a full accounting of how the money was spent.
State 911 surcharge and carrier duties
Each year, the Public Service Commission holds a public hearing to set the statewide 911 surcharge within legal limits. Wireless carriers must send in collected surcharge money monthly within 60 days after month‑end and file quarterly county reports. These steps can change the 911 charge on your phone bill and improve transparency of funding.
State stops regulating internet phone services
The Public Service Commission no longer regulates internet‑based phone and VoIP services. It cannot set their rates, contract terms, or entry rules. This shifts oversight for these services away from the commission.
988 crisis line oversight and 911 links
Health and Human Services runs the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Nebraska and contracts for counselors and call centers. The commission sets rules so 988 and 911 can pass callers between systems. This two‑way link must be working no later than January 1, 2025. It helps people reach the right help faster.
Clearer definitions for modern 911 service
The law updates what 911 covers and who must support it. A 911 call can be a voice call, video call, text, or data‑only call. Next‑generation 911 is defined as a secure, standards‑based IP system that can share data across agencies. It clarifies 911 service areas, what a 911 system includes, who is an originating service provider, and which wireless carriers and services are covered as of January 1, 2025.
Help getting 911 grants and funds
The commission can apply for federal and other funding for 911 and help local governments apply. The state 911 director is the single point of contact for federal 911 grants. The commission is protected from damages when applying for or assisting with these funds, except for intentional wrongdoing.
Liability protections for 911 providers
The law protects the commission, local governments, public safety agencies, and carriers from most damages when they install, run, or provide 911 and next‑generation 911 services. These protections do not cover failures to use reasonable care or intentional acts. This lowers legal risk while keeping remedies for wrongful conduct.
More 911 outage reporting and oversight
If a provider files a 911 outage report with the FCC, it must also send it to the Public Service Commission. The commission keeps these reports confidential and holds a public hearing within 90 days of the first report. Each November 15, the NG911 contractor reports network capabilities and backups. Every year, each 911 center reports if it provides NG911. Carriers can ask the commission to keep qualifying submitted data confidential.
State leads 911 system and planning
The Public Service Commission runs statewide 911 planning, rules, and operations. It appoints a state 911 director and sets up a 911 department with staff. The 911 advisory committee gets clearer powers and fairer regional seats, and members serve staggered three‑year terms. This aims to make 911 service more consistent across Nebraska.
Stronger 911 oversight, fines, and reporting
The Public Service Commission is the venue for complaints and enforcement under the 911 Service System Act. The commission can fine violators, including up to $10,000 per day for each wireless carrier violation. Each year, the commission reports where 911 and next‑generation 911 are available and checks wireless location accuracy using PSAP data. Carriers face a tighter rule against charging different amounts for like services. Local governments, public safety agencies, and 911 suppliers are generally immune from lawsuits for providing 911 service, except for intentional acts or failure to use reasonable care.
Annual phone relay program surcharge
Before April 1 each year, the Public Service Commission sets the surcharge needed to run the statewide Telecommunications Relay System and equipment program. The new surcharge takes effect on July 1. Phone users pay this charge as set by the commission.
Local 911 fees and billing rules
Local governments can add a monthly 911 fee up to $0.50 per number, and in counties without a metropolitan‑class city, up to another $0.50 after public notice and a hearing. Wireless‑served numbers do not pay this local fee. If you are an individual, you never pay on more than 100 numbers on one bill in one 911 area. Local boards set the yearly rate by September 1, and new rates start with bills on or after January 1. Providers send collected fees to local governments within 60 days after each quarter, keep funds in a separate 911 account, and may contract with other agencies or companies to run 911.
Monthly 911 and relay phone fees
Your wireless bill can include a 911 fee of up to $0.70 per active number each month, or up to $0.50 if the number’s main use is in a county with a metropolitan-class city. Prepaid plans are excluded. Carriers do not have to collect from certain telephone assistance customers who do not get a monthly bill. Phone companies also collect up to $0.20 per month for the relay service fund on each number, counting only the first 100 non‑wireless numbers per customer; prepaid is excluded. Local boards can add a uniform 911 service fee per number for users whose primary place of use is in the 911 area, and the law now allows this to include wireless users and users who previously had no 911 access.
Providers must register and name contacts
Communications providers must register with the commission before offering service and may pay up to a $50 fee. Some providers must list a contact for 911, relay, universal service, and complaints, and some must list a Nebraska operations manager. Providers must update changes within 60 days and, by January 1 each year, certify they do not use equipment on the federal Covered List. The commission can fine providers that break these registration rules. Providers already regulated under the Nebraska Telecommunications Regulation Act are not covered by this registration rule.
Prepaid wireless surcharge rules and limits
You pay a prepaid wireless surcharge on each Nebraska retail purchase. The Department of Revenue sets the rate each January 1 using a three‑part formula and gives at least 90 days’ notice. Sellers must show the surcharge on your receipt and send it to the state. Sellers may choose not to collect it on sales of 10 minutes or less or $5 or less. The surcharge is not included in the base for other state or local taxes. It is the only state or local charge for 911, relay, and universal service on prepaid wireless—no extra taxes or fees may be added for those purposes.
Old 911 laws repealed and replaced
The state repeals older emergency telephone and wireless 911 statutes and replaces them with the consolidated 911 Service System Act framework. This updates and reorganizes the legal rules that guide 911 authorities and providers.
Phone bill tax labels updated
The law updates which surcharges count as a tax for mobile service sourcing. It removes the old enhanced wireless 911 reference and adds the relay and 911 Service System Act surcharges. This can change how charges are labeled and sourced on bills.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Wendy DeBoer
Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
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
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 38 • No: 0 • Other: 11
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 33 • No: 0 • Other: 16
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on March 11, 2025
3/11/2025legislaturePresented to Governor on March 6, 2025
3/6/2025legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
3/6/2025legislaturePassed on Final Reading 48-0-1
3/6/2025legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
3/6/2025legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
2/24/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
2/19/2025legislatureDeBoer AM255 adopted
2/19/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER8 adopted
2/19/2025legislatureDeBoer AM255 filed
2/13/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER8 filed
2/11/2025legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER8
2/11/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
2/5/2025legislatureDeBoer AM140 adopted
2/5/2025legislatureDeBoer AM140 filed
2/5/2025legislaturePlaced on General File
1/30/2025legislatureNotice of hearing for January 27, 2025
1/21/2025legislatureReferred to Transportation and Telecommunications Committee
1/21/2025legislatureDate of introduction
1/16/2025legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
1/16/2025
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted
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