AN ACT to support the state's viper public safety radio network in order to support 911 operations INTEROPERABILITY and FIRST RESPONDER dispatcH throughout the state.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

ALLOCATE A PERCENTAGE OF 911 FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE STATE'S VIPER RADIO SYSTEM INSOFAR AS THAT SYSTEM SUPPORTS 911 OPERATIONS IN THE STATE

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 143B‑1404(b) reads as rewritten:

(b)      Allocation of Revenues. – The 911 Board may deduct and retain for its administrative expenses a percentage of the total service charges remitted to it under G.S. 143B‑1403 for deposit in the 911 Fund. The percentage may not exceed three and one‑half percent (3.5%). The percentage is one percent (1%) unless the 911 Board sets the percentage at a different amount. The 911 Board must monitor the amount of funds required to meet its duties under this Part and set the rate at an amount that enables the 911 Board to meet this commitment. The 911 Board must allocate a minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of the total service charges to the Next Generation 911 Reserve Fund to be administered as provided in G.S. 143B‑1407. The 911 Board must allocate a minimum of five percent (5%) of the total service charges to the PSAP Grant and Statewide Projects Account to be administered as provided in G.S. 143B‑1407. The 911 Board must allocate a minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the total service charges to the State Highway Patrol to be used for the support and maintenance of the State's Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders (VIPER) system insofar as that system relates to the provision of 911 services in the State, the provision for the interoperability of 911 systems with one another and with public safety and first responder radio systems, and the dispatch of first responders in response to 911 communications. The remaining revenues remitted to the 911 Board for deposit in the 911 Fund are allocated for distribution to the primary PSAPs, CMRS providers, or the Accounts established in G.S. 143B‑1407.

SECTION 1.(b)  This section becomes effective July 1, 2025, and applies to 911 Board allocations made on or after that date.

911 BOARD TO ADOPT TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT RULES

SECTION 2.  The 911 Board shall adopt rules in accordance with this act and is granted authority to adopt temporary rules to enact this act until permanent rules are adopted.

GENERAL EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 3.  Except as otherwise provided, this act becomes effective July 1, 2025.