Bill Caption

Relating to the creation of regional emergency communications districts; authorizing the issuance of bonds; authorizing a fee

Fiscal Notes

LBB notes: estimated loss of fee collected revenue deposited into General Revenue-Dedicated Account No. 5050 (GR-D 5050) of $12,964,000 in fiscal year 2014, $12,876,000 in fiscal year 2015, $12,798,000 in fiscal year 2016, $12,730,000 in fiscal year 2017,and $12,670,000 in fiscal year 2018. CSEC also estimates the creation of the related regional emergency communication districts would result in a decrease in expenditures out of GR-D 5050 of $8,918,000 each fiscal year. The bill would provide revenue to the CAPCOG region equal to the amount generated from the 9-1-1 fee. The fee would not change and the impact to a local citizen would remain the same. With the establishment of the district, the CAPCOG region would be able to build a system (NG911) better and faster than with current appropriations, but the amount is difficult to quantify.

Bill Analysis

Summary: This legislation makes statutory changes consistent to allow for the creation of a digital 9-1-1 service in the Travis county region. This bill creates shared authorities of financing and stipulates boundaries and outlines equipment and operation obligations and standards.    

Analysis: This legislation would affect Travis County and surrounding counties (Capital Area Council of Governments) jurisdiction. This is essentially authorizing a multi-county agreement in order to upgrade current 9-1-1 service. It authorizes the joint administration and sharing of bonds and liens to finance the new system. This legislation is a regional issue and more of a local control issue.  On the grounds that this legislation removes certain preventative statutes it is positive on our limited government principle.