WEST virginia legislature

2020 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 4823

By Mr. Speaker (Mr. Hanshaw) and Miley

[Introduced February 11, 2020; Referred to the Committee on Government Organization]

A BILL to amend and reenact §24-6-3, relating to emergency 911 telephone system and wireless enhanced 911 fees; and requiring the Public Service Commission in cooperation with the State Auditor to develop a plan for periodic audits of the expenditure of the fees from these systems.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 6. LOCAL EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

§24-6-3. Adoption of emergency telephone system plan.

(a) The Public Service Commission shall develop, adopt, and periodically review a comprehensive plan establishing the technical and operational standards to be followed in establishing and maintaining emergency telephone systems and enhanced emergency telephone systems.

(b) In developing the comprehensive plan, the Public Service Commission shall consult with telephone companies, and with the various public agencies and public safety units, including, but not limited to, emergency services organizations.

(c) The Public Service Commission shall annually review with each operating telephone company their construction and switching replacements projections. During this review, the Public Service Commission shall ensure that all new switching facilities will accommodate the emergency telephone system.

(d) The Public Service Commission in cooperation with the State Auditor shall develop and adopt a comprehensive plan for periodic audits of the expenditure of emergency 911 telephone system fees and wireless enhanced 911 fees.  The results of the audits shall be submitted to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, no less than annually.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the Public Service Commission in cooperation with the State Auditor to develop a plan for periodic audits of the expenditure of the fees from emergency 911 telephone systems and wireless enhanced 911 systems.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.