47 USC 251a - State authority over fees

U.S Code last checked for updates: Feb 21, 2025

§ 251a.

State authority over fees

(a)

Authority

(1)

In general

(2)

Use of 9–8–8 funds

A 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 (43 U.S.C. 1601 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

To 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 October 17, 2020, 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)

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 (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) of the collection and distribution of such fees or charges; and

(2)

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 (43 U.S.C. 1601 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

(2)

Commission

(3)

IP-enabled voice service

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

(A)

an interconnected VoIP service, as defined in section 9.3 of the 1

 So in original.

title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto; and

(B)

a one-way interconnected VoIP service.

(4)

State

(Pub. L. 116–172, § 4, Oct. 17, 2020, 134 Stat. 833.)

cite as: 47 USC 251a