FIRE CHIEF LAUDS PASSAGE OF BILL TO MAKE DISTRIBUTION OF

9-1-1 TAX REVENUES MORE EFFICIENT

SALEM – Rep. Patrick Sheehan (R-Clackamas) today secured House passage of legislation directing the Office of Emergency Management to distribute 9-1-1 tax revenues directly to jurisdictions that service emergency calls.

Rep. Sheehan said the bill will make revenue distributions more efficient, and will ensure the money is used to support 9-1-1 services as intended. Currently, 9-1-1 tax revenues are distributed to local governments, with little assurance the money is reaching the jurisdictions that need it.

“When Oregonians pay 9-1-1 taxes through their phone bill, they expect the money will be used to support 9-1-1 services,” Rep. Sheehan said. “By directing the state to send the revenue directly to 9-1-1 jurisdictions, we can be sure our first responders have the resources they need to take the calls and respond to emergencies. This legislation supports our first responders and makes our system more efficient.”

Clackamas County Fire District #1 Chief Ed Kirchhofer applauded the passage of the bill.

“Efficiency and transparency in government is an expectation of all citizens,” Chief Kirchhofer said. “SB1559 achieves both and is quite simply the right thing to do.”

SB 1559 now moves to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

FIRE CHIEF LAUDS PASSAGE OF BILL TO MAKE DISTRIBUTION OF

9-1-1 TAX REVENUES MORE EFFICIENT

###