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COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA The John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20004
Statement of Introduction E911 Modernization Amendment Act of 2025 December 15, 2025 Today, along with Councilmember Matthew Frumin, I am introducing the E911 Modernization Amendment Act of 2025. This legislation would update and strengthen the District’s emergency communications system by modernizing the 911 and 311 telecommunications fees, clarifying the allowable uses of the Emergency and Non-Emergency Number Telephone Calling Systems Fund, and establishing an updated service fee structure that reflects the real costs of operating a 21st-century emergency response system. For more than two decades, the District’s Emergency and Non-Emergency Number Telephone Calling Systems Fund has supported core 911 operations, including call handling and routing. While this foundation has been critical, the technological landscape and the expectations of residents have evolved significantly. Across the country, jurisdictions are transitioning to Next Generation 911 (NG911), an Internet Protocol based system that enables voice, text, photos, video, and precise geolocation. These capabilities are essential for delivering accurate, real-time information to emergency responders and for ensuring that residents can reach 911 using the communication methods they rely on every day. The Office of Unified Communications (OUC) has already made progress toward transitioning to a modern emergency communications system and has demonstrated a strong commitment to this work. Each year, OUC handles hundreds of thousands of emergency and non-emergency calls, and its infrastructure must be equipped to support rapid call routing, improved resiliency, enhanced cybersecurity protections, and seamless coordination across public safety agencies. The proposed funding will allow OUC to continue and expand its modernization efforts, helping the District remain a leader in emergency response technology and service delivery. These critical upgrades require sustained and dedicated funding, rather than one-time grants or unpredictable general fund allocations, to ensure the system keeps pace with evolving technology and the needs of District residents. This legislation would: • Modernize outdated definitions by updating statutory terms to include wireless, wireline, VoIP, IP-based, and prepaid wireless services, and by adding definitions for “access line,” “family or shared plan,” and “Next Generation 911.” • Update the E911 Fund’s allowable uses by explicitly authorizing funding for Next Generation 911 infrastructure, IP-based networks, GIS systems, cybersecurity, multimedia-to-911
Christina Henderson Committee Member Councilmember, At-Large Facilities Chairperson, Committee on Health Human Services Transportation and the Environment
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA The John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20004
capabilities, and training, and by directing OUC to develop and maintain a Districtwide NG911 implementation and readiness plan. • Revise the 911 surcharge structure by establishing a uniform $1.00 monthly fee per access line across non-prepaid technologies, converting the PBX fee to a per-trunk model, and increasing the prepaid wireless surcharge from 2% to 5%. • Strengthen oversight and accountability by requiring annual reporting on revenues, expenditures, performance metrics, and NG911 progress, and by mandating an annual independent audit conducted by the Chief Financial Officer. • Ensure long-term sustainability by requiring a triennial review of the surcharge that considers inflation (CPI-U), call volume trends, modernization costs, and overall system needs. The Council has prioritized the modernization and integrity of the District’s emergency response system through prior oversight and legislative action. This bill would advance that commitment by ensuring that OUC has the resources to build a resilient, technologically advanced, and reliable emergency communications network that meets national standards and serves residents with the urgency and accuracy they deserve. With this legislation, the District takes an important step toward a safer and more responsive public safety system. A strong and sustainable E911 infrastructure is foundational to every emergency response. I look forward to working with my colleagues, OUC, public safety agencies, and telecommunications partners to move this bill forward and ensure the District’s emergency communications system is equipped for the future.
_________________________ _____________________________ 1 Councilmember Matthew Frumin Councilmember Christina Henderson 2 3 4 5 6 7 A BILL 8 9 _______________ 10 11 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 12 13 ___________________ 14 15 16 To amend the Emergency and Non-Emergency Number Telephone Calling Systems Fund Act of 17 2000 to modernize the District’s 911 and 311 telecommunications tax and fees, to update 18 the structure and allowable uses of the Emergency and Non-Emergency Number Telephone 19 Calling Systems Fund, and to establish an updated service fee on telecommunication 20 services to support the District’s emergency communications system, including call routing, 21 technology upgrades, staffing, and operations.. 22 23 BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act 24 may be cited as the “E911 Modernization Amendment Act of 2025.” 25 Sec. 2. The Emergency and Non-Emergency Number Telephone Calling Systems Fund Act 26 of 2000, effective October 19, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-172; D.C. Official Code § 34-1801 et seq.), is 27 amended as follows: 28 (a) Section 602 (D.C. Official Code § 34-1801) is amended as follows: 29 (1) A new paragraph (1A) is added to read as follows: 30 “(1A) “Access line” means a wireline, Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) line, 31 wireless telephone number, trunk, or other communication path that can initiate a 911 call. 32 (2) A new paragraph (2B) is added to read as follows: 33
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“(2B) “Family or shared plan” means a telecommunications service plan offered by a 34 provider under a single customer account that includes multiple individual access lines or mobile 35 numbers, whether the plan is marketed as a family plan, shared plan, multi-line plan, group plan, or 36 any similar offering that allows two or more users to share voice, text, data, or billing features. Each 37 individual access line or mobile number capable of accessing or connecting with the District’s 911 38 system shall be considered a separate line for purpose of assessing the tax or fee under this chapter.” 39 (3) Paragraph (5) is amended to read as follows: 40 “(5) “Local exchange service” means a telecommunications service provided within an 41 exchange area, including VoIP, wireless services, interconnected Internet Protocol (“IP”)-based 42 services, and any voice-capable telecommunications service that enables connection to 911.” 43 (4) A new paragraph (5A) is added to read as follows: 44 “(5A) “Next Generation 911” means an IP-based, secure, and resilient emergency 45 communications system designed to enhance and modernize the District’s 911 system, including 46 enabling the transmission of voice, text, data, video, and geolocation information between the public 47 and public safety answering points and among emergency response agencies.”. 48 (5) Paragraph (6C) is amended to read as follows: 49 “(6C) “Provider” means a person that provides wireline, wireless, VoIP, or prepaid 50 telecommunications services to consumers within the District.”. 51 (b) Subsection 603(c) (D.C. Official Code § 34-1802(c)) is amended to read as follows: 52 “(c) Money in the Fund shall be used for the following purposes as it relates to the District’s 53 911 system: 54 “(1) Planning, implementing, operating, maintaining, and modernizing the District’s 55 911 system, including the next generation 911 infrastructure; 56
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“(2) Internet Protocol-based emergency services networks; 57 “(3) Call-handling equipment; 58 “(4) Geolocation and geographic information systems; 59 “(5) Cybersecurity; 60 “(6) Text and multimedia communications capabilities; 61 “(7) Personnel training; 62 “(8) Developing, maintaining, and implementing a Districtwide next generation 911 63 implementation and readiness plan to ensure that OUC’s operations, infrastructure, and systems meet 64 national next generation 911standards and operational requirements; and 65 “(9) Necessary costs associated with personnel, technology hardware, software and 66 software maintenance, contractual services, public outreach, training, supplies, and equipment 67 required to support the District’s 911 system.”. 68 (c) Section 604(a) (D.C. Official Code § 34-1803(a)) is amended to read as follows: 69 “(a)(1) There is imposed upon all providers that enable end users to initiate a 911 call or 70 communication to the District’s 911 system, a $1.00 tax calculated based on each individual line, 71 voice channel, or equivalent sold or leased in the District of Columbia. 72 “(a)(2) For interconnected VoIP service, as defined by 47 C.F.R. § 9.3, $1.00 for each line, 73 trunk, or path that can access to, connect with, or interface with 911 service based on primary place of 74 use. 75 “(2) The PBX fee per station shall be converted into a per-trunk fee based on a ratio of 15 PBX 76 stations to one PBX trunk.”. 77 (b) Section 604b (D.C. Official Code § 34-1803.02) is amended as follows: 78
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“(A) Subsection (a)(1) is amended by striking the phrase “A prepaid wireless E911 79 charge of 2.0% of the sales price per retail transaction occurring in the District shall be collected by 80 the seller from the consumer, and remitted to the District.” and inserting the phrase “A prepaid 81 wireless E911 charge of 5.0% of the sales price per retail transaction occurring in the District shall be 82 collected by the seller from the consumer, and remitted to the District.” in its place. 83 “(B) Subsection (f) is repealed. 84 (c) Section 605a (D.C. Official Code § 34-1804) is amended to read as follows: 85 “Sec. 605a Reporting. 86 “(a) (1) By February 1, 2027, and annually thereafter by December 31, the Mayor shall submit 87 to the Council a report on the Fund, that shall include the following information: 88 “(A) The total revenue collected during the preceding fiscal year, disaggregated 89 by wireline, wireless, Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”), and prepaid sources; 90 “(B) The Fund balance at the beginning and end of the fiscal year; 91 “(C) An itemized list of all expenditures from the Fund, including capital, 92 operational, and personnel costs; 93 “(D) A description of the status of all ongoing and planned next generation 911 94 projects or system upgrades, including implementation timelines, key milestones, and anticipated 95 costs; 96 “(E) An assessment of the sufficiency of surcharge revenue to meet the 97 District’s operational and modernization needs, including any recommended adjustments to surcharge 98 rates; and 99
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“(F) A summary of performance indicators for the Office of Unified 100 Communications, including call-handling metrics, technology performance indicators, and next 101 generation 911 readiness benchmarks. 102 “(2) By April 1, 2027, and annually thereafter by April 1, the Chief Financial Officer 103 shall conduct an audit and submit an audit report to the Mayor and the Council detailing all revenues 104 deposited into, and expenditures made from, the Fund, which shall include: 105 “(A) Verification of the surcharge amounts collected and remitted by providers 106 and sellers; 107 “(B) Evaluation of internal controls to prevent misuse, diversion, or improper 108 expenditure of funds; 109 “(C) Assessment of compliance with the authorized uses described in section 110 603(c); 111 “(D) Review of procurement practices associated with next generation 911 and 112 911 system upgrades; and 113 “(E) Identification of any material weaknesses, irregularities, or deficiencies, 114 and recommendations for corrective action. 115 “(b) Beginning October 1, 2029, and every 3 years thereafter, the Mayor shall conduct a 116 comprehensive review of the tax imposed by this act. By December 31, 2029, and by December 31 117 each subsequent review year, the Mayor shall submit to the Council a written recommendation 118 indicating whether the rates should be adjusted based on the following factors: 119
“(1) The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the Washington-120 Arlington-Alexandria Metropolitan Area, including the cumulative percentage change 121 in the index since the prior rate adjustment, which shall serve as the minimum 122
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recommended increase to the surcharge unless the Mayor determines that a different 123 adjustment is warranted based on operational need or fiscal impact; 124 “(2) Call volume trends and overall system demand; 125 “(3) Costs associated with next generation 911 upgrades and lifecycle replacements; 126 “(4) Personnel and training requirements; 127 “(5) Long-term capital planning for emergency communications infrastructure; and 128 “(6) Availability of federal grants or matching fund requirements.”. 129
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 130 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact 131 statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 132 October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 133 Sec. 4. Effective date. 134 This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 135 Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review as 136 provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 137 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)). 138