2/23/05-Gov. Bob Taft recently signed off on legislation that would require cell phone customers in Ohio to pay an additional fee for enhanced 9-1-1 services.
The new law will add 32 cents a month to cellular telephone bills through Dec. 31, 2008.
In return, drivers throughout the state get enhanced 9-1-1 service capable of geographically locating a cell phone caller with the aid of global positioning system technology.
Enhanced 9-1-1 is a service that allows emergency dispatchers to pinpoint the location and phone number of a person without the caller having to say a word.
Under the new law, previously HB361, half of the tax revenue will go to wireless service providers, which are required by federal law to have GPS on all cell phones by 2005. The remaining funds are to be distributed among counties, based on their number of wireless service subscribers, to provide for equipping and staffing answering centers.
The fee will be implemented May 6.

12/13/04-The Senate has signed off on legislation that would require cell phone customers in the state to pay an additional fee for enhanced 9-1-1 services.
The proposal would add 32 cents a month to mobile telephone bills through Dec. 31, 2008.
In return, drivers throughout the state would get enhanced 9-1-1 service capable of geographically locating a cell phone caller with the aid of global positioning satellite services.
Enhanced 9-1-1 is a service that allows emergency dispatchers to pinpoint the location and phone number of a person without the caller having to say a word.
Under the bill – HB361 – half of the tax revenue would go to wireless service providers, which are required by federal law to have GPS on all cell phones by 2005. The remaining funds would be distributed among counties, based on their number of wireless service subscribers, to provide for equipping and staffing answering centers.
The bill has been sent back to the House for concurrence with Senate changes before heading to Gov. Bob Taft for approval.
For bill status, call (614) 466-8842. In Ohio, call 1-800-282-0253.

6/15/04-The Senate Public Utilities Committee voted to move forward a bill that would require cell phone customers in the state to pay an additional fee to help pay for enhanced 9-1-1 services.
The proposal would add 32 cents a month to mobile telephone bills through Dec. 31, 2008.
In return, drivers throughout the state would get enhanced 9-1-1 service capable of geographically locating a cell phone caller with the aid of global positioning satellite services.
Enhanced 9-1-1 is a service that allows emergency dispatchers to pinpoint the location and phone number of a person without the caller having to say a word.
Under HB361, sponsored by Rep. Larry Flowers, R-Canal Winchester, half of the tax revenue would go to wireless service providers, which are required by federal law to have GPS on all cell phones by 2005. The remaining funds would be distributed among counties, based on their number of wireless service subscribers, to provide for equipping and staffing answering centers.
The bill, which previously passed the House, is awaiting consideration on the Senate floor.
For bill status, call (614) 466-8842. In Ohio, call 1-800-282-0253.

5/6/04-A bill before the House Public Utilities Committee would require cell phone customers in the state to pay an additional 65 cents a month on their billing statement to help pay for enhanced 911 services.
In return, drivers throughout the state would get enhanced 911 service capable of geographically locating a cell phone caller with the aid of global positioning satellite services.
Enhanced 911 is a service that allows emergency dispatchers to pinpoint the location and phone number of a person without the caller having to say a word.
Under HB361, sponsored by Rep. Larry Flowers, R-Canal Winchester, half of the tax revenue would go to wireless service providers, which are required by federal law to have GPS on all cell phones by 2005. The remaining funds would be distributed among counties, based on their number of wireless service subscribers, to provide for equipping and staffing answering centers.
For bill status, call (614) 466-8842. In Ohio, call 1-800-282-0253.
A similar Senate bill – SB211 – is before the Senate Public Utilities Committee.