Madison, WI – Wisconsin’s premier telecommunications industry association recognized Representative Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) for his leadership and support of public safety and Next Generation 911 (NG911). Representative Kurtz received the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association (WSTA) Excellence in Legislative Leadership Award earlier this week at WSTA member company Lynxx Networks in Camp Douglas.
“Representative Kurtz is a tremendous advocate for both public safety and Wisconsin’s telecommunications providers,” said Bill Esbeck, WSTA executive director. “Representative Kurtz recognizes the critical role telecommunications providers will play in facilitating the future of public safety communications and NG911. His leadership was critical in passing legislation that will continue the provider cost recovery that exists for current 911 expenses.”
“911 is a critically important service for every resident in Wisconsin,” said Representative Kurtz. “Over the last several years, the legislature has supported initiatives to help local units of government with the transition to NG911, as you can likely imagine, the cost of upgrading this technology isn’t cheap. That includes the costs the telecommunication companies will see as they upgrade the infrastructure to help NG911 become a reality. 2023 Wisconsin Act 222 ensures the transition to NG911 continues without putting unnecessary burden on our telecommunication companies and the fees collected from every phone bill is going to what it’s intended for the first time.”
Representative Kurtz authored legislation which continues provider cost recovery after the transition to the digital NG911 Emergency Services Internet-Protocol Network (ESInet). The bill was signed into law earlier this year as 2023 Wisconsin Act 222. In the new law, providers will get cost recovery for IP-based transport of NG911; purchasing, installing, and maintaining NG911 equipment; and NG911 database management. Without the new law, provider cost recovery for NG911-related expenses would end after the transition to the ESInet.
Lynxx Networks CEO Scott Perry said having an advocate like Representative Kurtz speaks volumes to the state’s telecommunications providers. “Telecommunications companies have the responsibility to provide services to their communities and shouldn’t be expected to carry one hundred percent of the cost burden for upgrades and constant monitoring of NG911,” Perry said, adding that Kurtz’s proactive stance communicates both support of the telecommunications industry and the importance of the safety of everyone in the state of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s recently renamed 911 Fee (formerly the Police and Fire Protection Fee) is appropriately used to pay for the NG911 provider cost recovery in 2023 WI Act 222. The new law allocates $6 million annually for a grant program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (DMA).