Arkansas Administrative Code Agency 217 - Emergency Telephone Services Board
Here’s a breakdown of Agency 217 – Emergency Telephone Services Board in the Arkansas Administrative Code:
📘 Overview
Agency 217 governs the Emergency Telephone Services Board (now replaced by the Arkansas 911 Board). It includes regulations for funding, allocation of fees, eligible uses of surcharges, and operational standards. (regulations.justia.com)
🔹 Rule 217.00.09‑001 – Rule 1 (Emergency Telephone Service Board)
This rule, effective through March 2025, outlines how surcharge funds collected for emergency telephone services (911) can be allocated: (regulations.justia.com)
📌 Fund Allocation (for collections post‑July 31, 2009):
83.5% Fund is dedicated to Primary Public Safety Answering Points (PPSAPs). Starting with this fund’s allocations:
Must be used for payroll, readiness, and training costs.
These costs must directly tie to handling wireless, VoIP, and non-traditional 911 calls. (regulations.justia.com)
Specifically allowed purposes include:
Payroll for call-takers/operators
Training related to modern 911 technologies
Readiness costs such as equipment upgrades and maintenance
Further subsections (beyond the snippet) likely specify other permissible uses under Rule 1.
🌀 Transition to the Arkansas 911 Board
The Emergency Telephone Services Board was replaced in April 2019 by the Arkansas 911 Board, per HB 1564 of the 92nd General Assembly. Key changes included: (regulations.justia.com, 911board.arkansas.gov, liheapch.acf.gov)
New Governance: Twelve-member board representing public safety stakeholders.
Fee revision: In October 2019, the wireless/VoIP surcharge doubled—from $0.65 to $1.30 per subscription, with a 10% retail charge on prepaid services.
Funding priorities:
83.75% goes to PSAPs (by population basis)
15% for maintenance, legacy systems, and NG911 statewide infrastructure
1.25% for administrative costs and audits
Structured disbursement: Quarterly funding to AWIN, telecommunicator training, and administrative support.
📝 Summary Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Rule 217.00.09‑001 | Guidelines for 83.5% Fund use post‑July 2009: payroll, training, readiness |
| Board Transition (HB 1564, 2019) | Shifted authority to new Arkansas 911 Board |
| Fee Changes (Oct 2019) | Wireless/VoIP fee increased to $1.30; PSAP funding structure updated |
| Funding Allocation | 83.75% PSAPs, 15% infrastructure/maintenance, 1.25% admin |
✅ For More Details
Full text of Rule 217.00.09‑001: available via Justia or Cornell/LII (911board.arkansas.gov, regulations.justia.com, azdhs.gov)
Arkansas 911 Board site: outlines current fee rates, allocation formulas, and annual reporting
Legislative history: HB 1564 from April 2, 2019 outlines transition and fee changes (911board.arkansas.gov)
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