911 Fee for Radio System Passes House 81-12

The North Dakota House voted Wednesday in support of a plan to raise 911 fees $.50 in order to help fund a new radio system for law enforcement and first responders. With a vote of 81-12 the bill now moves to the Senate.
North Dakota is the only state in the Upper Midwest that continues to operate on decades old radio communications. This radio system is reaching the end-of-life before the next legislative session. This funding plan will help pool investments to support a statewide system. Law enforcement testified that the response during the on-going Dakota Access Pipeline protest proved the current radio system is inadequate. Another bill SB 2204 also addresses a funding option for the radio system.