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The "Kansas Votes" website,
sponsored by the Flint Hills
Center for Public Policy, allows
you to track the progress of
state legislation. Their site can
be accessed by clicking the
link below.
sponsored by the Flint Hills
Center for Public Policy, allows
you to track the progress of
state legislation. Their site can
be accessed by clicking the
link below.
When legislation is introduced
that affects your PSAP, it is
important that you voice your
opinion details on your State
Representative and State
Senator.
that affects your PSAP, it is
important that you voice your
opinion details on your State
Representative and State
Senator.
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| Senate Bill 48/House Bill 2423 |
Senate Bill 48 relates to the sunset of the 911 Wireless Tax
surcharge on cell phones. HB2423 relates to the uniform
application of a 55 cent tax on all landline, wireless, and VoIP
accounts that access 9-1-1.
surcharge on cell phones. HB2423 relates to the uniform
application of a 55 cent tax on all landline, wireless, and VoIP
accounts that access 9-1-1.
Contact KSAPCO
Legislative Committee
Legislative Committee
Michelle Abbott
Chairperson, KSAPCO
Legislative Committee
Chairperson, KSAPCO
Legislative Committee
| Update on SB48 - February 2, 2010 |
This morning (11:00 a.m.), the House of Representatives heard SB 48, the
KAC/League/Wireless Carriers’ 911/E-911 bill on General Orders. Rep. Joe
Seiwert (R-Pretty Prairie) “carried” the bill, which meant that he stood at the
“well” as a member of the House Utilities Committee to present and field
questions about the bill. After a few comments and just a few questions, the
bill advanced to final action on a voice vote. Final action will be tomorrow, most
certainly. Final action votes are recorded in the House Journal, while this
morning’s vote is not a recorded one.
Following Rep. Seiwert’s explanation, the following representatives made
comments and/or asked questions:
1. Rep. Annie Kuether (D-Topeka) explained her support for the bill, saying
that the committee had charged the parties to reach a compromise over the
summer, and they (we) had followed through.
2. Rep. Mike Burgess (R-Topeka) spoke to the 1.1% tax on pre-paid cell
phones which will reportedly affect about 600 businesses, who will file the
necessary forms and remit payment electronically to the Kansas Department of
Revenue (KDOR). He said that he supports the bill, but wanted the members
to know about the pre-pay provision in case they receive calls from the affected
businesses.
3. Rep. Annie Kuether said that KDOR is ready and waiting to assist
taxpayers who will be required to file the reports on the pre-paid cell phones.
4. Rep. John Faber (R-Northwest counties) asked if SB 48 is revenue neutral.
Rep. Seiwert responded that the bill will treat landlines and cell phones the
same (i.e. $.55 per month) and so hard-wired phones in most areas of the
state will pay less than they are currently paying (i.e. $.75/month) while cell
phones will pay $.05 more. Faber said he supported the bill.
5. Rep. Joe McCleland (R-Wichita) asked about the administrative allowance
for carriers in the bill (2%).
6. Rep. Forrest Knox (R-Fredonia) said that he had told his constituents that
he would not vote for a tax increase and that he had decided that SB 48 is NOT
a tax increase. He said that everyone shares equally in paying for the system.
He said that 911/E-911 is an essential governmental service and that, while he
is for limited government, this is something government should do. He
supports SB 48.
7. Rep. Seiwert summarized and referenced new generation technology and
the capacity for public safety answering points (PSAPs) to accept emergency
texts.
No amendments were offered. There was then a voice vote. There were some
“nay” votes, but the ayes clearly prevailed. Next stop – final action. We will
publish the recorded vote in this week’s Legislative Bulletin.
KAC/League/Wireless Carriers’ 911/E-911 bill on General Orders. Rep. Joe
Seiwert (R-Pretty Prairie) “carried” the bill, which meant that he stood at the
“well” as a member of the House Utilities Committee to present and field
questions about the bill. After a few comments and just a few questions, the
bill advanced to final action on a voice vote. Final action will be tomorrow, most
certainly. Final action votes are recorded in the House Journal, while this
morning’s vote is not a recorded one.
Following Rep. Seiwert’s explanation, the following representatives made
comments and/or asked questions:
1. Rep. Annie Kuether (D-Topeka) explained her support for the bill, saying
that the committee had charged the parties to reach a compromise over the
summer, and they (we) had followed through.
2. Rep. Mike Burgess (R-Topeka) spoke to the 1.1% tax on pre-paid cell
phones which will reportedly affect about 600 businesses, who will file the
necessary forms and remit payment electronically to the Kansas Department of
Revenue (KDOR). He said that he supports the bill, but wanted the members
to know about the pre-pay provision in case they receive calls from the affected
businesses.
3. Rep. Annie Kuether said that KDOR is ready and waiting to assist
taxpayers who will be required to file the reports on the pre-paid cell phones.
4. Rep. John Faber (R-Northwest counties) asked if SB 48 is revenue neutral.
Rep. Seiwert responded that the bill will treat landlines and cell phones the
same (i.e. $.55 per month) and so hard-wired phones in most areas of the
state will pay less than they are currently paying (i.e. $.75/month) while cell
phones will pay $.05 more. Faber said he supported the bill.
5. Rep. Joe McCleland (R-Wichita) asked about the administrative allowance
for carriers in the bill (2%).
6. Rep. Forrest Knox (R-Fredonia) said that he had told his constituents that
he would not vote for a tax increase and that he had decided that SB 48 is NOT
a tax increase. He said that everyone shares equally in paying for the system.
He said that 911/E-911 is an essential governmental service and that, while he
is for limited government, this is something government should do. He
supports SB 48.
7. Rep. Seiwert summarized and referenced new generation technology and
the capacity for public safety answering points (PSAPs) to accept emergency
texts.
No amendments were offered. There was then a voice vote. There were some
“nay” votes, but the ayes clearly prevailed. Next stop – final action. We will
publish the recorded vote in this week’s Legislative Bulletin.
| Update on SB48 - February 3, 2010 |
The bill passed in the House by a vote of 106-15. The bill now
moves to the Senate.
moves to the Senate.
| Senate Bill 48/House Bill 2423 goes to Senate Utilities Committee on February 9, 2010. |
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