Bills to increase cell phone fees await governor’s approval

Sign up for the free Daily Report email – local news about the people, companies and issues that impact business impact business in Baton Rouge and beyond.

Louisiana cell phone users could face millions of dollars in increased 911 service charges, under two measures sent to the governor’s desk.

The Associated Press reports the Legislature has given final passage to measures from two Republican lawmakers that would raise as much as $20 million a year for local emergency call systems.

Hammond Rep. Chris Broadwater’s bill could levy a maximum 40-cent increase for nearly 2.9 million Louisiana wireless customers, according to a fiscal analysis of the measure.

Advertisement

Shreveport Rep. Thomas Carmody’s proposal extends the increase to pre-paid phone customers.

Fees for those customers, who don’t pay monthly service charges, would automatically increase from 2% to 4%.

Broadwater’s proposal would take effect Aug. 1 and Carmody’s would follow on Oct. 1, if the governor approves.

Comments (0)

From Our Partners

Daily Report Poll

ASK AI

Ask anything about Baton Rouge business