9-1-1
9-1-1 Fees and Surcharge Remittance
Funding of emergency communication services in Texas is authorized by Health and Safety Code (H&SC) Chapters 771 and 772. There are three funding sources:
- Equalization Surcharge
- 9-1-1 Service Fee
- Wireless 9-1-1 Service Fee
Each are collected from telecommunication customers and remitted by their service providers.
All collections of the Equalization Surcharge and the Wireless 9-1-1 Service Fee are remitted on a monthly basis to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (the Comptroller). Collections of the 9-1-1 Service Fee are remitted based on customers physical, and in some cases billing, address. Collections from customers within the boundaries of a Regional Planning Commission (RPC) are remitted to the Comptroller; those within an Emergency Communication District created under Health & Safety Code Chapter 772 (District) are remitted to the District; and those within a 9-1-1 ECD Municipality that provided, voted to provide, or contracted to provide 9-1-1 service on or before September 1, 1987 (HRC) are remitted to the HRC. Each RPC, District, and HRC is commonly referred to as 9-1-1 Entity, and collectively referred to as the 9-1-1 Entities.
Pursuant to H&SC Section 771.074, neither the Equalization Surcharge, nor the 9-1-1 Service Fee or 9-1-1 Wireless Service Fee may be imposed on or collected from the state or the federal government.
Equalization Surcharge
The Equalization Surcharge is imposed upon each customer receiving intrastate long-distance service in the amount of 1.0 % of the charges for intrastate long-distance service
Remitted to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Reference Statute and Rules:
H&SC Section 771.072 and subject to:
- CSEC Rule 252.1; 255.1; 255.2; 255.5; and 255.7.
- H&SC Section 771.073; 771.074; and, 771.077 (a) .
9-1-1 Service Fee
The 9-1-1 Service Fee is a monthly fee imposed on each local exchange access line or its equivalent, as defined by CSEC Rule 255.4. Remittance of the 9-1-1 Service Fee is generally determined by the physical location of the customers telephone. In the case of a customer receiving interconnected VoIP service that is nomadic, in that it can be accessed from any broadband connection, the situs for determining the 9-1-1 Service Fee is the customers billing address.
The 9-1-1 Service Fee is set at $0.50 per month in areas served by an RPC and is remitted to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
The 9-1-1 Service Fee varies in areas served by an ECD or HRC and is remitted directly to each entity.
The RPCs are responsible for coordinating the assignment of residents that live in the region to the appropriate 9-1-1 Entity. To determine which 9-1-1 Entity a customer resides in and what service fee rate(s) should be assessed, contact the 9-1-1 Coordinator at the Regional Planning Commission in which the customer resides.
Reference Rules and Statute:
H&SC Section 771.071 and subject to:
- CSEC Rule 252.1; 255.4; 255.5; and 255.7.
- H&SC Section 771.073; 771.074; and 771.077 (a).
H&SC Chapter 772 and subject to:
- CSEC Rule 255.4
Wireless 9-1-1 Service Fee
The Wireless 9-1-1 Service Fee is imposed on each wireless telecommunications connection in an amount equal to $0.50 fee per month.
Reference Rules and Statute:
H&SC Section 771.0711 and subject to:
- CSEC Rule 252.1.
Remitted to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Remittance of Fees and Surcharge
Forms and instructions for remitting the Equalization Surcharge, the Wireless 9-1-1 Service Fee, and the 9-1-1 Service Fee collected from customers within an RPC are remitted to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and can be accessed at www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/00-forms.html.
Information regarding the remittance of the 9-1-1 Service Fee to a District or HRC can be obtained by identifying the appropriate 9-1-1 Entity and contacting them at:
District Contacts: Districts
Municipalities: 9-1-1 ECD Municipalities