By Ron Thaniel
September 29, 2003

Legislation that would authorize federal grants to help upgrade local 911 service was approved Tuesday by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

The E-911 Implementation Act of 2003 (HR 2898) would authorize $100 million a year through fiscal 2008 in matching grants to cities, counties and states to improve their emergency communications system.

The measure introduced by John Shimkus (IL) and Anna G. Eshoo (CA) is expected to be marked up in the full Energy and Commerce Committee in the next few weeks.

A similar measure in the Senate (S 1250) sponsored by Senators Hillary Clinton (NY) and Conrad Burns (MT) would provide $500 million a year in matching grants. The Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved S 1250 in July.

Both S 1250 and HR 2898 are aimed at discouraging states from using surcharges imposed on consumers for 911 improvements to pay for other services.