The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today said it is seeking public comment on implementation of the Emergency 9-1-1 Service Enabling Act (2007 PA 164 and 165).

The Act directs the Commission to review and possibly adjust the state 9-1-1 charge and the distribution percentages.  It has until October 1 to make any adjustments that would be effective Jan. 1, 2009. 

The state 9-1-1 charge of 19 cents per communications device per month will be collected beginning July 1.  Michigan law directs that 19-cent monthly charge to be disbursed as follows:  82.5 percent to counties for 9-1-1 services as allowed under the Act; 7.75 percent for local exchange providers for costs related to wireless emergency service; 6 percent for local 9-1-1 centers for basic training of personnel; 1.88 percent to the Michigan State Police to operate a regional 9-1-1 dispatch center, and 1.87 percent for the costs to administer the Act and maintain the office of the state 9-1-1 coordinator.

In today's order, the MPSC noted several areas of concern and is seeking public comment on the state 9-1-1 charge and the disbursement percentiles.  In particular, the Commission is seeking comment on the following questions:

·        Should the state 9-1-1 charge be increased or decreased?  If so, why, and what factors should affect this change? 

·        Should the disbursement percentages be modified; if so, how and why?

·         Is it necessary to change both the state 9-1-1 charge and the disbursement percentages concurrently?

Comments may be e-mailed to mpscedockets@michigan.gov and documents in Word or PDF format may be attached to the e-mail message.  Comments may also be submitted electronically through the Commission's E-dockets Web site:  michigan.gov/mpscedockets .  Written comments should be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Michigan Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909.  All comments should reference Case No. U-15552 and must be received by 5 p.m. on July 3.  All information submitted to the Commission in this matter will become public information, available on the Commission's Web site, and subject to disclosure.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Labor & Economic Growth.

Case No. U-15552