47 U.S.C. § 251a | State authority over fees

(a)

Authority

(1)

In general

47 U.S.C. 151 43 U.S.C. 1601Nothing in this Act, any amendment made by this Act, the Communications Act of 1934 ( et seq.), or any Commission regulation or order may prevent the imposition and collection of a fee or charge applicable to a commercial mobile service or an IP-enabled voice service specifically designated by a State, a political subdivision of a State, an Indian Tribe, or village or regional corporation serving a region established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( et seq.) for 9–8–8 related services, if the fee or charge is held in a sequestered account to be obligated or expended only in support of 9–8–8 services, or enhancements of such services, as specified in the provision of State or local law adopting the fee or charge.

(2)

Use of 9–8–8 funds

43 U.S.C. 1601A fee or charge collected under this subsection shall only be imposed, collected, and used to pay expenses that a State, a political subdivision of a State, an Indian Tribe, or village or regional corporation serving a region established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( et seq.) is expected to incur that are reasonably attributed to—

(A)

ensuring the efficient and effective routing of calls made to the 9–8–8 national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline to an appropriate crisis center; and

(B)

personnel and the provision of acute mental health, crisis outreach and stabilization services by directly responding to the 9–8–8 national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.

(b)

Fee Accountability Report

October 17, 2020To ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the collection and expenditure of a fee or charge for the support or implementation of 9–8–8 services, not later than 2 years after , and annually thereafter, the Commission shall submit to the Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report that—

(1)

43 U.S.C. 1601 details the status in each State, political subdivision of a State, Indian Tribe, or village or regional corporation serving a region established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( et seq.) of the collection and distribution of such fees or charges; and

(2)

43 U.S.C. 1601 includes findings on the amount of revenues obligated or expended by each State, political subdivision of a State, Indian Tribe, or village or regional corporation serving a region established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( et seq.) for any purpose other than the purpose for which any such fees or charges are specified.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Commercial mobile service

47 U.S.C. 332(d)The term “commercial mobile service” has the meaning given that term under section 332(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 ().

(2)

Commission

The term “Commission” means the Federal Communications Commission.

(3)

IP-enabled voice service

The term “IP-enabled voice service” shall include—

(A)

1 So in original.

an interconnected VoIP service, as defined in section 9.3 of the  title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto; and

(B)

a one-way interconnected VoIP service.

(4)

State

section 615b of this titleThe term “State” has the meaning given that term in .

Pub. L. 116–172, § 4Oct. 17, 2020134 Stat. 833(, , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 116–172Oct. 17, 2020134 Stat. 832 section 609 of this titleThis Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is , , , known as the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2020 Amendment note under and Tables.

act June 19, 1934, ch. 652 48 Stat. 1064 section 609 of this titleThe Communications Act of 1934, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is , , which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.

Pub. L. 92–203Dec. 18, 197185 Stat. 688 section 1601 of Title 43The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b), is , , , which is classified generally to chapter 33 (§ 1601 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

CodificationSection was enacted as part of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, and not as part of the Communications Act of 1934 which comprises this chapter.