B 26-0546

                     COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
                         The John A. Wilson Building
                        1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
                            Washington, D.C. 20004
    Christina Henderson  Committee Member
    Councilmember, At-Large  Facilities
    Chairperson, Committee on Health  Human Services
                                                             Transportation and the Environment
                            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
                   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 _________________________  _____________________________
2 Councilmember Matthew Frumin  Councilmember Christina Henderson
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8A BILL
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12IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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17 To amend the Emergency and Non-Emergency Number Telephone Calling Systems Fund Act of
182000 to modernize the District’s 911 and 311 telecommunications tax and fees, to update
19the structure and allowable uses of the Emergency and Non-Emergency Number Telephone
20Calling Systems Fund, and to establish an updated service fee on telecommunication
21services to support the District’s emergency communications system, including call routing,
22technology upgrades, staffing, and operations..
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24BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act
25 may be cited as the “E911 Modernization Amendment Act of 2025.”
26Sec. 2. The Emergency and Non-Emergency Number Telephone Calling Systems Fund Act
27 of 2000, effective October 19, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-172; D.C. Official Code § 34-1801 et seq.), is
28 amended as follows:
29(a) Section 602 (D.C. Official Code § 34-1801) is amended as follows:
30(1) A new paragraph (1A) is added to read as follows:
31“(1A) “Access line” means a wireline, Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) line,
32 wireless telephone number, trunk, or other communication path that can initiate a 911 call.
33(2) A new paragraph (2B) is added to read as follows:
34“(2B) “Family or shared plan” means a telecommunications service plan offered by a
35 provider under a single customer account that includes multiple individual access lines or mobile
36 numbers, whether the plan is marketed as a family plan, shared plan, multi-line plan, group plan, or
37 any similar offering that allows two or more users to share voice, text, data, or billing features. Each
38 individual access line or mobile number capable of accessing or connecting with the District’s 911
39 system shall be considered a separate line for purpose of assessing the tax or fee under this chapter.”
40(3) Paragraph (5) is amended to read as follows:
41“(5) “Local exchange service” means a telecommunications service provided within an
42 exchange area, including VoIP, wireless services, interconnected Internet Protocol (“IP”)-based
43 services, and any voice-capable telecommunications service that enables connection to 911.”
44(4) A new paragraph (5A) is added to read as follows:
45“(5A) “Next Generation 911” means an IP-based, secure, and resilient emergency
46 communications system designed to enhance and modernize the District’s 911 system, including
47 enabling the transmission of voice, text, data, video, and geolocation information between the public
48 and public safety answering points and among emergency response agencies.”.
49(5) Paragraph (6C) is amended to read as follows:
50“(6C) “Provider” means a person that provides wireline, wireless, VoIP, or prepaid
51 telecommunications services to consumers within the District.”.
52(b) Subsection 603(c) (D.C. Official Code § 34-1802(c)) is amended to read as follows:
53“(c) Money in the Fund shall be used for the following purposes as it relates to the District’s
54 911 system:
55“(1) Planning, implementing, operating, maintaining, and modernizing the District’s
56 911 system, including the next generation 911 infrastructure;
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57“(2) Internet Protocol-based emergency services networks;
58“(3) Call-handling equipment;
59“(4) Geolocation and geographic information systems;
60“(5) Cybersecurity;
61“(6) Text and multimedia communications capabilities;
62“(7) Personnel training;
63“(8) Developing, maintaining, and implementing a Districtwide next generation 911
64 implementation and readiness plan to ensure that OUC’s operations, infrastructure, and systems meet
65 national next generation 911standards and operational requirements; and
66“(9) Necessary costs associated with personnel, technology hardware, software and
67 software maintenance, contractual services, public outreach, training, supplies, and equipment
68 required to support the District’s 911 system.”.
69(c) Section 604(a) (D.C. Official Code § 34-1803(a)) is amended to read as follows:
70“(a)(1) There is imposed upon all providers that enable end users to initiate a 911 call or
71 communication to the District’s 911 system, a $1.00 tax calculated based on each individual line,
72 voice channel, or equivalent sold or leased in the District of Columbia.
73“(a)(2) For interconnected VoIP service, as defined by 47 C.F.R. § 9.3, $1.00 for each line,
74 trunk, or path that can access to, connect with, or interface with 911 service based on primary place of
75 use.
76“(2) The PBX fee per station shall be converted into a per-trunk fee based on a ratio of 15 PBX
77 stations to one PBX trunk.”.
78(b) Section 604b (D.C. Official Code § 34-1803.02) is amended as follows:
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79“(A) Subsection (a)(1) is amended by striking the phrase “A prepaid wireless E911
80 charge of 2.0% of the sales price per retail transaction occurring in the District shall be collected by
81 the seller from the consumer, and remitted to the District.” and inserting the phrase “A prepaid
82 wireless E911 charge of 5.0% of the sales price per retail transaction occurring in the District shall be
83 collected by the seller from the consumer, and remitted to the District.” in its place.
84“(B) Subsection (f) is repealed.
85(c) Section 605a (D.C. Official Code § 34-1804) is amended to read as follows:
86“Sec. 605a Reporting.
87“(a) (1) By February 1, 2027, and annually thereafter by December 31, the Mayor shall submit
88 to the Council a report on the Fund, that shall include the following information:
89“(A) The total revenue collected during the preceding fiscal year, disaggregated
90 by wireline, wireless, Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”), and prepaid sources;
91“(B) The Fund balance at the beginning and end of the fiscal year;
92“(C) An itemized list of all expenditures from the Fund, including capital,
93 operational, and personnel costs;
94“(D) A description of the status of all ongoing and planned next generation 911
95 projects or system upgrades, including implementation timelines, key milestones, and anticipated
96 costs;
97“(E) An assessment of the sufficiency of surcharge revenue to meet the
98 District’s operational and modernization needs, including any recommended adjustments to surcharge
99 rates; and
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100“(F) A summary of performance indicators for the Office of Unified
101 Communications, including call-handling metrics, technology performance indicators, and next
102 generation 911 readiness benchmarks.
103“(2) By April 1, 2027, and annually thereafter by April 1, the Chief Financial Officer
104 shall conduct an audit and submit an audit report to the Mayor and the Council detailing all revenues
105 deposited into, and expenditures made from, the Fund, which shall include:
106“(A) Verification of the surcharge amounts collected and remitted by providers
107 and sellers;
108“(B) Evaluation of internal controls to prevent misuse, diversion, or improper
109 expenditure of funds;
110“(C) Assessment of compliance with the authorized uses described in section
111 603(c);
112“(D) Review of procurement practices associated with next generation 911 and
113 911 system upgrades; and
114“(E) Identification of any material weaknesses, irregularities, or deficiencies,
115 and recommendations for corrective action.
116“(b) Beginning October 1, 2029, and every 3 years thereafter, the Mayor shall conduct a
117 comprehensive review of the tax imposed by this act. By December 31, 2029, and by December 31
118 each subsequent review year, the Mayor shall submit to the Council a written recommendation
119 indicating whether the rates should be adjusted based on the following factors:
120“(1) The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the Washington-
121Arlington-Alexandria Metropolitan Area, including the cumulative percentage change
122in the index since the prior rate adjustment, which shall serve as the minimum
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123recommended increase to the surcharge unless the Mayor determines that a different
124adjustment is warranted based on operational need or fiscal impact;
125“(2) Call volume trends and overall system demand;
126“(3) Costs associated with next generation 911 upgrades and lifecycle replacements;
127“(4) Personnel and training requirements;
128“(5) Long-term capital planning for emergency communications infrastructure; and
129“(6) Availability of federal grants or matching fund requirements.”.
130Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement.
131The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact
132 statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved
133 October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).
134Sec. 4. Effective date.
135This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the
136 Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review as
137 provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24,
138 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)).
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