A top official with the Federal Communications Commission says Montana needs to put $2 million back into the state’s 911 account.
The funds in question were generated from 911 fees and placed into a state account that held $12 million in 2017. During that year’s regular legislative session, state lawmakers transferred $2 million out of the account to pay for buyouts in the Montana University System.
That wasn’t acceptable, said Federal Communications Commissioner Mike O’Rielly in a Sept. 9 letter to Gov. Steve Bullock. “The ability of all Montanans to reach emergency personnel during emergencies is a public policy imperative … To be clear: 9-1-1 fee diversion is unacceptable under any circumstances.”