Relates to communication service surcharges applied to Tompkins county

1 Co-sponsor

• James L. Seward

Title of bill

An act to amend the county law, in relation to communication service surcharges applied to Tompkins county and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose

To permit Tompkins County to impose a surcharge on each telephone landline to pay for the costs associated with obtaining, operating and maintaining an enhanced emergency 911 communication system.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 adds a new section 303a to the county law that would permit Tompkins County to adopt, amend or repeal local laws to impose a surcharge in an amount not to exceed one dollar per telephone landline per month.

Section 2 declares that any such local law state the amount of the surcharge, the date on which the service supplier begins to add the surcharge, and the date on which the enhanced 911 service is to begin. Section 2 also states the service provider may begin billing its customers for the surcharge prior to the date the E911 system service is to begin.

Justification

This bill is being introduced at the request of Tompkins County acting through its board. Tompkins County anticipates installing a fully-interoperable emergency communication system, serving all police, fire, and EMT agencies in the county. The cost of this project is expected to reach $33 million. In an effort to fund this Project, Tompkins County is requesting the ability to increase the telephone surcharge imposed on landlines. If enacted into law, this act would ensure that Tompkins County has the ability to impose a surcharge of up to $1 on each line.

Legislative history

None.

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

Immediately.