The Florida Senate

365.16  Obscene or harassing telephone calls.

365.161  Prohibition of certain obscene telephone communications; penalty.

365.1657  Intrastate use of facsimile machine for unsolicited advertising; prohibition; penalties; injunctive relief.

365.171  Emergency telephone number "911."

365.172  Wireless emergency telephone number "E911."

365.173  Wireless Emergency Telephone System Fund.

365.174  Proprietary confidential business information.

365.175  Emergency telephone number 911 private branch exchange-private switch automatic location identification.

365.16  Obscene or harassing telephone calls.--

(1)  Whoever:

(a)  Makes a telephone call to a location at which the person receiving the call has a reasonable expectation of privacy; during such call makes any comment, request, suggestion, or proposal which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, vulgar, or indecent; and by such call or such language intends to offend, annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person at the called number;

(b)  Makes a telephone call, whether or not conversation ensues, without disclosing his or her identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person at the called number;

(c)  Makes or causes the telephone of another repeatedly or continuously to ring, with intent to harass any person at the called number; or

(d)  Makes repeated telephone calls, during which conversation ensues, solely to harass any person at the called number,

is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(2)  Whoever knowingly permits any telephone under his or her control to be used for any purpose prohibited by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(3)  Each telephone directory hereafter published for distribution to the members of the general public shall contain a notice which explains this law; such notice shall be printed in type which is no smaller than the smallest type on the same page and shall be preceded by the word "warning." The provisions of this section shall not apply to directories solely for business advertising purposes, commonly known as classified directories.

(4)  Each telephone company in this state shall cooperate with the law enforcement agencies of this state in using its facilities and personnel to detect and prevent violations of this section.

(5)  Nothing contained in this section shall apply to telephone calls made in good faith in the ordinary course of business or commerce.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 63-51; s. 1, ch. 69-25; s. 276, ch. 71-136; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 1, 2, ch. 79-270; ss. 2, 4, ch. 80-275; s. 550, ch. 95-148.

365.161  Prohibition of certain obscene telephone communications; penalty.--

(1)  For purposes of this section, the term:

(a)  "Obscene" means that status of a communication which:

1.  The average person applying contemporary community standards would find, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interests;

2.  Describes, in a patently offensive way, deviate sexual intercourse, sadomasochistic abuse, sexual battery, bestiality, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement; and

3.  Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

(b)  "Deviate sexual intercourse" means sexual conduct between persons consisting of contact between the penis and the anus, the mouth and the penis, or the mouth and the vulva.

(c)  "Sadomasochistic abuse" means flagellation or torture by or upon a person, or the condition of being fettered, bound, or otherwise physically restrained, for the purpose of deriving sexual satisfaction from inflicting harm on another or receiving such harm oneself.

(d)  "Sexual battery" means oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object.

(e)  "Sexual bestiality" means any sexual act between a person and an animal involving the sex organ of the one and the mouth, anus, or vagina of the other.

(f)  "Sexual conduct" means actual or simulated sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse, sexual bestiality, masturbation, or sadomasochistic abuse; or any act or conduct which constitutes sexual battery.

(g)  "Sexual excitement" means the condition of the human male or female genitals when in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal.

(2)(a)  A subscriber of a telephone service who makes any obscene or indecent communication by means of a telephone, in person or through an electronic recording device, in exchange for remuneration is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, regardless of whether he or she placed, initiated, or received the telephone call.

(b)  A subscriber of telephone service who knowingly permits the use of a telephone or a telephone facility under his or her control to make any obscene or indecent communication prohibited under paragraph (a) is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, if the telephone or telephone facility is connected to a local exchange telephone.

(c)  For purposes of this subsection, each day of a violation constitutes a separate offense.

(d)  Any telephone company which transmits any public announcement service over the telephone network and bills for such service on its regular telephone bills to its subscribers shall have the right (but not the obligation) to approve any and all advertising, by whatever means, of such public announcement service. Failure of any public announcement service provider to obtain the approval of the telephone company for its advertising of any public announcement service transmitted over the telephone network shall be full and sufficient grounds for immediate disconnection by the telephone company of the public announcement service provider's telephone service. No telephone company shall be liable for any damages, penalty, or forfeiture, whether civil or criminal, for disconnecting such public announcement service subscriber who violates this subsection.

(3)  This section does not apply to a telephone communication that crosses state lines.

History.--s. 23, ch. 88-381; s. 551, ch. 95-148.

365.1657  Intrastate use of facsimile machine for unsolicited advertising; prohibition; penalties; injunctive relief.--

(1)  It is unlawful for any person to use a machine that electronically transmits facsimiles of documents through connection with a telephone network to transmit within this state unsolicited advertising material for the sale of any real property, goods, or services.

(2)  The Attorney General may bring an action to impose a civil penalty and to seek injunctive relief. The civil penalty shall not exceed $500 per violation. Each transmission shall be considered a separate violation.

History.--s. 1, ch. 89-95.

365.171  Emergency telephone number "911."--

(1)  SHORT TITLE.--This section shall be known and cited as the "Florida Emergency Telephone Act."

(2)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--It is the intent of the Legislature to establish and implement a cohesive statewide emergency telephone number "911" plan which will provide citizens with rapid direct access to public safety agencies by dialing the telephone number "911" with the objective of reducing the response time to situations requiring law enforcement, fire, medical, rescue, and other emergency services.

(3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:

(a)  "Office" means the State Technology Office.

(b)  "Local government" means any city, county, or political subdivision of the state and its agencies.

(c)  "Public agency" means the state and any city, county, city and county, municipal corporation, chartered organization, public district, or public authority located in whole or in part within this state which provides, or has authority to provide, firefighting, law enforcement, ambulance, medical, or other emergency services.

(d)  "Public safety agency" means a functional division of a public agency which provides firefighting, law enforcement, medical, or other emergency services.

(4)  STATE PLAN.--The office shall develop a statewide emergency telephone number "911" system plan. The plan shall provide for:

(a)  The establishment of the public agency emergency telephone communications requirements for each entity of local government in the state.

(b)  A system to meet specific local government requirements. Such system shall include law enforcement, firefighting, and emergency medical services and may include other emergency services such as poison control, suicide prevention, and emergency management services.

(c)  Identification of the mutual aid agreements necessary to obtain an effective "911" system.

(d)  A funding provision which shall identify the cost necessary to implement the "911" system.

(e)  A firm implementation schedule which shall include the installation of the "911" system in a local community within 24 months after the designated agency of the local government gives a firm order to the telephone utility for a "911" system.

The office shall be responsible for the implementation and coordination of such plan. The office shall adopt any necessary rules and schedules related to public agencies for implementing and coordinating such plan, pursuant to chapter 120. The public agency designated in the plan shall order such system within 6 months after publication date of the plan if the public agency is in receipt of funds appropriated by the Legislature for the implementation and maintenance of the "911" system. Any jurisdiction which has utilized local funding as of July 1, 1976, to begin the implementation of the state plan as set forth in this section shall be eligible for at least a partial reimbursement of its direct cost when, and if, state funds are available for such reimbursement.

(5)  SYSTEM DIRECTOR.--The director of the office or his or her designee is designated as the director of the statewide emergency telephone number "911" system and, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section, is authorized to coordinate the activities of the system with state, county, local, and private agencies. The director is authorized to employ not less than five persons, three of whom will be at the professional level, one at the secretarial level, and one to fill a fiscal position, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section. The director in implementing the system shall consult, cooperate, and coordinate with local law enforcement agencies.

(6)  REGIONAL SYSTEMS.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or discourage the formation of multijurisdictional or regional systems; and any system established pursuant to this section may include the jurisdiction, or any portion thereof, of more than one public agency.

(7)  TELEPHONE INDUSTRY COORDINATION.--The office shall coordinate with the Florida Public Service Commission which shall encourage the Florida telephone industry to activate facility modification plans for a timely "911" implementation.

(8)  COIN TELEPHONES.--The Florida Public Service Commission shall establish rules to be followed by the telephone utilities in this state designed toward encouraging the provision of coin-free dialing of "911" calls wherever economically practicable and in the public interest.

(9)  SYSTEM APPROVAL.--No emergency telephone number "911" system shall be established and no present system shall be expanded without prior approval of the office.

(10)  COMPLIANCE.--All public agencies shall assist the office in their efforts to carry out the intent of this section, and such agencies shall comply with the developed plan.

(11)  EXISTING EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SERVICE.--Any emergency telephone number established by any local government or state agency prior to July 1, 1974, using a number other than "911" shall be changed to "911" on the same implementation schedule provided in paragraph (4)(e).

(12)  FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.--The secretary of the office or his or her designee may apply for and accept federal funding assistance in the development and implementation of a statewide emergency telephone number "911" system.

(13)  "911" FEE.--

(a)  Following approval by referendum as set forth in paragraph (b), or following approval by a majority vote of its board of county commissioners, a county may impose a "911" fee to be paid by the local exchange subscribers within its boundaries served by the "911" service. Proceeds from the "911" fee shall be used only for "911" expenditures as set forth in subparagraph 6. The manner of imposing and collecting said payment shall be as follows:

1.  At the request of the county subscribing to "911" service, the telephone company shall, insofar as is practicable, bill the "911" fee to the local exchange subscribers served by the "911" service, on an individual access line basis, at a rate not to exceed 50 cents per month per line (up to a maximum of 25 access lines per account bill rendered). However, the fee may not be assessed on any pay telephone in this state. A county collecting the fee for the first time may collect the fee for no longer than 36 months without initiating the acquisition of its "911" equipment.

2.  Fees collected by the telephone company pursuant to subparagraph 1. shall be returned to the county, less the costs of administration retained pursuant to paragraph (c). The county shall provide a minimum of 90 days' written notice to the telephone company prior to the collection of any "911" fees.

3.  Any county that currently has an operational "911" system or that is actively pursuing the implementation of a "911" system shall establish a fund to be used exclusively for receipt and expenditure of "911" fee revenues collected pursuant to this section. All fees placed in said fund, and any interest accrued thereupon, shall be used solely for "911" costs described in subparagraph 6. The money collected and interest earned in this fund shall be appropriated for "911" purposes by the county commissioners and incorporated into the annual county budget. Such fund shall be included within the financial audit performed in accordance with s. 218.39. A report of the audit shall be forwarded to the office within 60 days of its completion. A county may carry forward on an annual basis unspent moneys in the fund for expenditures allowed by this section, or it may reduce its fee. However, in no event shall a county carry forward more than 10 percent of the "911" fee billed for the prior year. The amount of moneys carried forward each year may be accumulated in order to allow for capital improvements described in this subsection. The carryover shall be documented by resolution of the board of county commissioners expressing the purpose of the carryover or by an adopted capital improvement program identifying projected expansion or replacement expenditures for "911" equipment and service features, or both. In no event shall the "911" fee carryover surplus moneys be used for any purpose other than for the "911" equipment, service features, and installation charges authorized in subparagraph 6. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a county from using other sources of revenue for improvements, replacements, or expansions of its "911" system. A county may increase its fee for purposes authorized in this section. However, in no case shall the fee exceed 50 cents per month per line. All current "911" fees shall be reported to the office within 30 days of the start of each county's fiscal period. Any fee adjustment made by a county shall be reported to the office. A county shall give the telephone company a 90-day written notice of such fee adjustment.

4.  The telephone company shall have no obligation to take any legal action to enforce collection of the "911" fee. The telephone company shall provide quarterly to the county a list of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any and all subscribers who have identified to the telephone company their refusal to pay the "911" fee.

5.  The county subscribing to "911" service shall remain liable to the telephone company for any "911" service, equipment, operation, or maintenance charge owed by the county to the telephone company.


As used in this paragraph, "telephone company" means an exchange telephone service provider of "911" service or equipment to any county within its certificated area.

6.  It is the intent of the Legislature that the "911" fee authorized by this section to be imposed by counties will not necessarily provide the total funding required for establishing or providing the "911" service. For purposes of this section, "911" service includes the functions of database management, call taking, location verification, and call transfer. The following costs directly attributable to the establishment and/or provision of "911" service are eligible for expenditure of moneys derived from imposition of the "911" fee authorized by this section: the acquisition, implementation, and maintenance of Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) equipment and "911" service features, as defined in the Florida Public Service Commission's lawfully approved "911" and related tariffs and/or the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of other "911" equipment, including call answering equipment, call transfer equipment, ANI controllers, ALI controllers, ANI displays, ALI displays, station instruments, "911" telecommunications systems, teleprinters, logging recorders, instant playback recorders, telephone devices for the deaf (TDD) used in the "911" system, PSAP backup power systems, consoles, automatic call distributors, and interfaces (hardware and software) for computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems; salary and associated expenses for "911" call takers for that portion of their time spent taking and transferring "911" calls; salary and associated expenses for a county to employ a full-time equivalent "911" coordinator position and a full-time equivalent staff assistant position per county for the portion of their time spent administrating the "911" system; training costs for PSAP call takers in the proper methods and techniques used in taking and transferring "911" calls; expenses required to develop and maintain all information (ALI and ANI databases and other information source repositories) necessary to properly inform call takers as to location address, type of emergency, and other information directly relevant to the "911" call-taking and transferring function; and, in a county defined in s. 125.011(1), such expenses related to a nonemergency "311" system, or similar nonemergency system, which improves the overall efficiency of an existing "911" system or reduces "911" emergency response time for a 2-year pilot project that ends June 30, 2003. However, no wireless telephone service provider shall be required to participate in this pilot project or to otherwise implement a nonemergency "311" system or similar nonemergency system. The "911" fee revenues shall not be used to pay for any item not listed, including, but not limited to, any capital or operational costs for emergency responses which occur after the call transfer to the responding public safety entity and the costs for constructing buildings, leasing buildings, maintaining buildings, or renovating buildings, except for those building modifications necessary to maintain the security and environmental integrity of the PSAP and "911" equipment rooms.

7.  It is the goal of the Legislature that enhanced "911" service be available throughout the state. Expenditure by counties of the "911" fees authorized by this section should support this goal to the greatest extent feasible within the context of local service needs and fiscal capability. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit two or more counties from establishing a combined emergency "911" telephone service by interlocal agreement and utilizing the "911" fees authorized by this section for such combined "911" service.

(b)  If a county elects to obtain approval of a "911" fee by referendum, it shall arrange to place a question on the ballot at the next regular or special election to be held within the county, substantially as follows:

_____ I am in favor of the "911" emergency telephone system fee.

_____ I am against the "911" emergency telephone system fee.


If a majority of the electors voting on the question approve the fee, it may be imposed by the county.

(c)  Any county imposing a "911" fee in accordance with the provisions of this subsection shall allow the telephone company to retain as an administrative fee an amount equal to 1 percent of the total "911" fee collected by the telephone company.

(14)  INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.--All local governments are authorized to undertake to indemnify the telephone company against liability in accordance with the telephone company's lawfully filed tariffs. Regardless of any indemnification agreement, a telephone company or commercial mobile radio service provider as defined in s. 364.02 shall not be liable for damages resulting from or in connection with "911" service or identification of the telephone number, address, or name associated with any person accessing "911" service, unless the telephone company or commercial radio service provider acted with malicious purpose or in a manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights, safety, or property in providing such services.

(15)  CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS.--Any record, recording, or information, or portions thereof, obtained by a public agency or a public safety agency for the purpose of providing services in an emergency and which reveals the name, address, telephone number, or personal information about, or information which may identify any person requesting emergency service or reporting an emergency by accessing an emergency telephone number "911" system is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, except that such record or information may be disclosed to a public safety agency. The exemption applies only to the name, address, telephone number or personal information about, or information which may identify any person requesting emergency services or reporting an emergency while such information is in the custody of the public agency or public safety agency providing emergency services. A telephone company or commercial mobile radio service provider shall not be liable for damages to any person resulting from or in connection with such telephone company's or commercial mobile radio service provider's provision of any lawful assistance to any investigative or law enforcement officer of the State of Florida or political subdivisions thereof, of the United States, or of any other state or political subdivision thereof, in connection with any lawful investigation or other law enforcement activity by such law enforcement officer unless the telephone company or commercial mobile radio service provider acted in a wanton and willful manner.

(16)  FALSE "911" CALLS.--Whoever accesses the number "911" for the purpose of making a false alarm or complaint or reporting false information which could result in the emergency response of any public safety agency is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, ch. 74-357; s. 3, ch. 76-168; ss. 1, 2, ch. 76-272; s. 1, ch. 77-457; ss. 3, 4, ch. 80-275; s. 38, ch. 83-334; ss. 1, 2, ch. 85-317; s. 24, ch. 87-225; s. 1, ch. 87-259; s. 1, ch. 88-231; s. 1, ch. 89-264; s. 3, ch. 90-305; s. 110, ch. 90-360; s. 1, ch. 91-100; s. 297, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 1, ch. 93-171; s. 1, ch. 96-229; s. 168, ch. 96-406; s. 1, ch. 98-276; s. 97, ch. 98-279; s. 50, ch. 99-399; s. 10, ch. 2000-334; s. 1, ch. 2001-71; s. 1, ch. 2001-133; s. 106, ch. 2001-266.

365.172  Wireless emergency telephone number "E911."--

(1)  SHORT TITLE.--This section may be cited as the "Wireless Emergency Communications Act."

(2)  FINDINGS, PURPOSE, AND LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--The Legislature finds and declares that:

(a)  The mobile nature of wireless communications service creates complexities for providing 911 emergency services.

(b)  Wireless telephone service providers are required by the Federal Communications Commission to provide wireless enhanced 911 (E911) service in the form of automatic location identification and automatic number identification pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in an order issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

(c)  Wireless telephone service providers and counties that operate 911 and E911 systems require adequate funding to recover the costs of designing, purchasing, installing, testing, and operating enhanced facilities, systems, and services necessary to comply with the requirements for E911 services mandated by the Federal Communications Commission and to maximize the availability of E911 services throughout this state.

(d)  The revenues generated by the E911 fee imposed under this section are required to fund the efforts of the counties, the Wireless 911 Board under the State Technology Office, and commercial mobile radio service providers to improve the public health, safety, and welfare and serve a public purpose by providing emergency telephone assistance through wireless communications.

(e)  It is necessary and beneficial to levy a fee on wireless services and to create the Wireless 911 Board to administer fee proceeds as provided in this section.

(f)  It is the intent of the Legislature to:

1.  Establish and implement a comprehensive statewide emergency telephone number system that will provide wireless telephone users with rapid direct access to public safety agencies by dialing the telephone number "911."

2.  Provide funds to local governments to pay the cost of installing and operating wireless 911 systems and to reimburse wireless telephone service providers for costs incurred to provide 911 or enhanced 911 services.

3.  Levy a reasonable fee on subscribers of wireless telephone service to accomplish these purposes.

(3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section and ss. 365.173 and 365.174, the term:

(a)  "Active prepaid wireless telephone" means a prepaid wireless telephone that has been used by the customer during the month to complete a telephone call for which the customer's card or balance was decremented.

(b)  "Answering point" means the public safety agency that receives incoming 911 calls and dispatches appropriate public safety agencies to respond to such calls.

(c)  "Automatic location identification" means the capability of the E911 service which enables the automatic display of information that defines the approximate geographic location of the wireless telephone used to place a 911 call.

(d)  "Automatic number identification" means the capability of the E911 service which enables the automatic display of the 10-digit service number used to place a 911 call.

(e)  "Board" means the board of directors of the Wireless 911 Board.

(f)  "Office" means the State Technology Office.

(g)  "E911" is the designation for a wireless enhanced 911 system or wireless enhanced 911 service that is an emergency telephone system or service that provides a subscriber with wireless 911 service and, in addition, directs 911 calls to appropriate public safety answering points by selective routing based on the geographical location from which the call originated, or as otherwise provided in the state plan under s. 365.171, and that provides for automatic number identification and automatic location-identification features in accordance with the requirements of the order.

(h)  "Fee" means the E911 fee imposed under subsection (8).

(i)  "Fund" means the Wireless Emergency Telephone System Fund established in s. 365.173 and maintained under this section for the purpose of recovering the costs associated with providing 911 service or E911 service, including the costs of implementing the order.

(j)  "Local exchange carrier" means a "competitive local exchange telecommunications company" or a "local exchange telecommunications company" as defined in s. 364.02.

(k)  "Local government" means any municipality, county, or political subdivision or agency of a municipality, county, or political subdivision.

(l)  "Mobile telephone number" or "MTN" means the telephone number assigned to a wireless telephone at the time of initial activation.

(m)  "Order" means:

1.  The following orders and rules of the Federal Communications Commission issued in FCC Docket No. 94-102:

a.  Order adopted on June 12, 1996, with an effective date of October 1, 1996, the amendments to s. 20.03 and the creation of s. 20.18 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations adopted by the Federal Communications Commission pursuant to such order.

b.  Memorandum and Order No. FCC 97-402 adopted on December 23, 1997.

c.  Order No. FCC DA 98-2323 adopted on November 13, 1998.

d.  Order No. FCC 98-345 adopted December 31, 1998.

2.  Orders and rules subsequently adopted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to the provision of wireless 911 services.

(n)  "Provider" means a person or entity who provides service and either:

1.  Is subject to the requirements of the order; or

2.  Elects to provide wireless 911 service or E911 service in this state.

(o)  "Prepaid wireless telephone service" means wireless telephone service that is activated in advance by payment for a finite dollar amount of service or for a finite set of minutes that terminate either upon use by a customer and delivery by the wireless provider of an agreed-upon amount of service corresponding to the total dollar amount paid in advance or within a certain period of time following the initial purchase or activation, unless additional payments are made.

(p)  "Public agency" means the state and any municipality, county, municipal corporation, or other governmental entity, public district, or public authority located in whole or in part within this state which provides, or has authority to provide, firefighting, law enforcement, ambulance, medical, or other emergency services.

(q)  "Public safety agency" means a functional division of a public agency which provides firefighting, law enforcement, medical, or other emergency services.

(r)  "Rural county" means any county that has a population of fewer than 75,000.

(s)  "Service" means "commercial mobile radio service" as provided under ss. 3(27) and 332(d) of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47 U.S.C., ss. 151 et seq., and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, Pub. L. No. 103-66, August 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 312. The term "service" includes the term "wireless" and service provided by any wireless real-time two-way wire communication device, including radio-telephone communications used in cellular telephone service; personal communications service; or the functional or competitive equivalent of a radio-telephone communications line used in cellular telephone service, a personal communications service, or a network radio access line. The term does not include wireless providers that offer mainly dispatch service in a more localized, noncellular configuration; providers offering only data, one-way, or stored-voice services on an interconnected basis; providers of air-to-ground services; or public coast stations.

(t)  "Service number" means the unique 10-digit wireless telephone number assigned to a service subscriber.

(u)  "Sufficient positive balance" means a dollar amount greater than or equal to the monthly wireless surcharge amount.

(v)  "Wireless 911 system" or "wireless 911 service" means an emergency telephone system or service that provides a subscriber with the ability to reach an answering point by dialing the digits "911." A wireless 911 system is complementary to a wired 911 system as provided for in s. 365.171.

(4)  POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE.--The office shall oversee the administration of the fee imposed on subscribers of statewide E911 service under subsection (8).

(5)  THE WIRELESS 911 BOARD.--

(a)  The Wireless 911 Board is established to administer, with oversight by the office, the fee imposed under subsection (8), including receiving revenues derived from the fee; distributing portions of such revenues to providers, counties, and the office; accounting for receipts, distributions, and income derived by the funds maintained in the fund; and providing annual reports to the Governor and the Legislature for submission by the office on amounts collected and expended, the purposes for which expenditures have been made, and the status of wireless E911 service in this state. In order to advise and assist the office in carrying out the purposes of this section, the board, which shall have the power of a body corporate, shall have the powers enumerated in subsection (6).

(b)  The board shall consist of seven members, one of whom must be the system director designated under s. 365.171(5), or his or her designee, who shall serve as the chair of the board. The remaining six members of the board shall be appointed by the Governor and must be composed of three county 911 coordinators recommended by the Florida Association of Counties and three members from the wireless telecommunications industry. Not more than one member may be appointed to represent any single provider on the board.

(c)  The system director, or his or her designee, must be a permanent member of the board. Each of the remaining six members of the board shall be appointed to a 4-year term and may not be appointed to more than two successive terms. However, for the purpose of staggering terms, two of the original board members shall be appointed to terms of 4 years, two shall be appointed to terms of 3 years, and two shall be appointed to terms of 2 years, as designated by the Governor. A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(6)  AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD; ANNUAL REPORT.--

(a)  The board shall:

1.  Administer the E911 fee.

2.  Implement, maintain, and oversee the fund.

3.  Review and oversee the disbursement of the revenues deposited into the fund as provided in s. 365.173. The board may establish a schedule for implementing wireless E911 service by service area, and prioritize disbursements of revenues from the fund to providers and rural counties as provided in s. 365.173(2)(b) and (c) pursuant to the schedule, in order to implement E911 services in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

4.  Review documentation submitted by providers which reflects current and projected funds derived from the E911 fee, and the expenses incurred and expected to be incurred, in order to comply with the E911 service requirements contained in the order for the purposes of:

a.  Ensuring that providers receive fair and equitable distributions of funds from the fund.

b.  Ensuring that providers are not provided disbursements from the fund which exceed the costs of providing E911 service, including the costs of complying with the order.

c.  Ascertaining the projected costs of compliance with the requirements of the order and projected collections of the E911 fee.

d.  Implementing changes to the allocation percentages or reducing the E911 fee under paragraph (8)(c).

5.  Review and approve or reject, in whole or in part, applications submitted by providers for recovery of moneys deposited into the fund.

6.  Hire and retain employees for the purposes of performing the technical and administrative functions for the board.

7.  Make and enter into contracts, pursuant to chapter 287, and execute other instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of the powers and functions of the board.

8.  Take all necessary and reasonable steps by July 1, 2000, to secure appropriate information and reports from providers and otherwise perform all of the functions that would be performed by an independent accounting firm prior to completing the request-for-proposals process under subsection (7).

9.  Sue and be sued, and appear and defend in all actions and proceedings, in its corporate name to the same extent as a natural person.

10.  Adopt, use, and alter a common corporate seal.

11.  Elect or appoint the officers and agents that are required by the affairs of the board.

12.  The board may adopt rules under ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this section and ss. 365.173 and 365.174.

13.  Provide coordination, support, and technical assistance to counties to promote the deployment of advanced 911 and E911 systems in the state.

14.  Provide coordination and support for educational opportunities related to 911 issues for the 911 community in this state.

15.  Act as an advocate for issues related to 911 system functions, features, and operations to improve the delivery of 911 services to the residents of and visitors to this state.

16.  Coordinate input from this state at national forums and associations, to ensure that policies related to 911 systems and services are consistent with the policies of the 911 community in this state.

17.  Work cooperatively with the system director established in s. 365.171(5) to enhance the state of 911 services in this state and to provide unified leadership for all 911 issues through planning and coordination.

18.  Do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers granted in this section, including but not limited to, consideration of emerging technology and related cost savings.

(b)  Board members shall serve without compensation; however, members are entitled to per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.

(c)  By February 28 of each year, the board shall prepare a report for submission by the office to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives which reflects, for the immediately preceding calendar year, the quarterly and annual receipts and disbursements of moneys in the fund, the purposes for which disbursements of moneys from the fund have been made, and the availability and status of implementation of E911 service in this state.

(d)  By February 28, 2001, the board shall undertake and complete a study for submission by the office to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives which addresses:

1.  The total amount of E911 fee revenues collected by each provider, the total amount of expenses incurred by each provider to comply with the order, and the amount of moneys on deposit in the fund, all as of December 1, 2000.

2.  Whether the amount of the E911 fee and the allocation percentages set forth in s. 365.173 should be adjusted to comply with the requirements of the order, and, if so, a recommended adjustment to the E911 fee.

3.  Any other issues related to providing wireless E911 services.

(7)  REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM.--

(a)  The board shall issue a request for proposals as provided in chapter 287 for the purpose of retaining an independent accounting firm. The independent accounting firm shall perform all material administrative and accounting tasks and functions required for administering the E911 fee. The request for proposals must include, but need not be limited to:

1.  A description of the scope and general requirements of the services requested.

2.  A description of the specific accounting and reporting services required for administering the fund, including processing checks and distributing funds as directed by the board under s. 365.173.

3.  A description of information to be provided by the proposer, including the proposer's background and qualifications and the proposed cost of the services to be provided.

(b)  The board shall establish a committee to review requests for proposals which must include the statewide 911 system director, or his or her designee, and two members of the board, one of whom is a county 911 coordinator and one of whom represents the wireless telecommunications industry. The review committee shall review the proposals received by the board and recommend an independent accounting firm to the board for final selection. By agreeing to serve on the review committee, each member of the review committee shall verify that he or she does not have any interest or employment, directly or indirectly, with potential proposers which conflicts in any manner or degree with his or her performance on the committee.

(c)  After July 1, 2004, the board may secure the services of an independent accounting firm via invitation to bid, request for proposals, invitation to negotiate, or professional contracts already established at the Division of Purchasing, Department of Management Services, for certified public accounting firms, or the board may hire and retain professional accounting staff to accomplish these functions.

(8)  WIRELESS E911 FEE.--

(a)  Each home service provider shall collect a monthly fee imposed on each customer whose place of primary use is within this state. The rate of the fee shall be 50 cents per month per each service number, beginning August 1, 1999. The fee shall apply uniformly and be imposed throughout the state.

(b)  The fee is established to ensure full recovery for providers and for counties, over a reasonable period, of the costs associated with developing and maintaining an E911 system on a technologically and competitively neutral basis.

(c)  After July 1, 2001, the board may adjust the allocation percentages provided in s. 365.173 or reduce the amount of the fee, or both, if necessary to ensure full cost recovery or prevent overrecovery of costs incurred in the provision of E911 service, including costs incurred or projected to be incurred to comply with the order. Any new allocation percentages or reduced fee may not be adjusted for 2 years. The fee may not exceed 50 cents per month per each service number.

(d)  State and local taxes do not apply to the fee.

(e)  A local government may not levy any additional fee on wireless providers or subscribers for the provision of E911 service.

(9)  MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS.--

(a)  Each provider, as a part of its monthly billing process, shall collect the fee imposed under subsection (8). The provider may list the fee as a separate entry on each bill, in which case the fee must be identified as a fee for E911 services. A provider shall remit the fee only if the fee is paid by the subscriber. If a provider receives a partial payment for a monthly bill from a subscriber, the amount received shall first be applied to the payment due the provider for the provision of telecommunications service.

(b)  In the case of prepaid wireless telephone service, the monthly wireless 911 surcharge imposed by subsection (8) shall be remitted based upon each prepaid wireless telephone associated with this state, for each wireless service customer that has a sufficient positive balance as of the last day of each month. The surcharge shall be remitted in any manner consistent with the wireless provider's existing operating or technological abilities, such as customer address, location associated with the MTN, or reasonable allocation method based upon other comparable relevant data. The surcharge amount or an equivalent number of minutes may be reduced from the prepaid subscriber's account since a direct billing may not be possible. However, collection of the wireless 911 surcharge in the manner of a reduction of value or minutes from the prepaid subscriber's account does not constitute a reduction in the sales price for purposes of taxes that are collected at the point of sale.

(c)  A provider is not obligated to take any legal action to enforce collection of the fees for which any subscriber is billed. The provider shall provide to the board each quarter a list of the names, addresses, and service numbers of all subscribers who have indicated to the provider their refusal to pay the fee.

(d)  Each provider may retain 1 percent of the amount of the fees collected as reimbursement for the administrative costs incurred by the provider to bill, collect, and remit the fee. The remainder shall be delivered to the board and deposited in the fund. The board shall distribute the remainder pursuant to s. 365.173.

(e)  Each provider shall deliver revenues from the fee to the board within 60 days after the end of the month in which the fee was billed, together with a monthly report of the number of wireless customers whose place of primary use is in each county. A provider may apply to the board for a refund of, or may take a credit for, any fees remitted to the board which are not collected by the provider within 6 months following the month in which the fees are charged off for federal income tax purposes as bad debt. The board may waive the requirement that the fees and number of customers whose place of primary use is in each county be submitted to the board each month and authorize a provider to submit the fees and number of customers quarterly if the provider demonstrates that such waiver is necessary and justified.

(f)  For purposes of this section, the definitions contained in s. 202.11 and the provisions of s. 202.155 apply in the same manner and to the same extent as such definitions and provisions apply to the taxes levied pursuant to chapter 202 on mobile communications services.

(g)  As used in this subsection, the term "provider" includes any person or entity that resells wireless service and was not assessed the fee by its resale supplier.

(10)  PROVISION OF SERVICES.--In accordance with the order, a provider is not required to provide E911 service until:

(a)  The provider receives a request in writing for such service from the county 911 coordinator and the affected answering point is capable of receiving and using the data elements associated with the service.

(b)  Funds are available under s. 365.173(2)(b).

(c)  The local exchange carrier is able to support the E911 system.

(d)  The service area has been scheduled for implementation of E911 service by the board pursuant to subparagraph (6)(a)3. If a county's 911 coordinator requests E911 service from a provider, the coordinator shall also request E911 service from all other providers in the area in a nondiscriminatory and fair manner.

(11)  FACILITATING E911 SERVICE IMPLEMENTATION.--Notwithstanding any other law or local ordinance to the contrary:

(a)  Colocation among wireless telephone service providers is encouraged by the state. To further facilitate agreements among providers for colocation of their facilities, any antennae and related equipment to service the antennae that is being colocated on an existing above-ground structure is not subject to land development regulation pursuant to s. 163.3202, provided the height of the existing structure is not increased. However, construction of the antennae and related equipment is subject to local building regulations and any existing permits or agreements for such property, buildings, or structures. Nothing herein shall relieve the permitholder for or owner of the existing structure of compliance with any applicable condition or requirement of a permit, agreement, or land development regulation, including any aesthetic requirements, or law.

(b)  Local governments shall not require providers to provide evidence of a wireless communications facility's compliance with federal regulations. However, local governments shall receive evidence of proper Federal Communications Commission licensure from a provider and may request the Federal Communications Commission to provide information as to a provider's compliance with federal regulations, as authorized by federal law.

(c)1.  A local government shall grant or deny a properly completed application for a permit, including permits under paragraph (a), for the colocation of a wireless communications facility on property, buildings, or structures within the local government's jurisdiction within 45 business days after the date the properly completed application is initially submitted in accordance with the applicable local government application procedures, provided that such permit complies with applicable federal regulations and applicable local zoning or land development regulations, including any aesthetic requirements. Local building regulations shall apply.

2.  A local government shall grant or deny a properly completed application for a permit for the siting of a new wireless tower or antenna on property, buildings, or structures within the local government's jurisdiction within 90 business days after the date the properly completed application is initially submitted in accordance with the applicable local government application procedures, provided that such permit complies with applicable federal regulations and applicable local zoning or land development regulations, including any aesthetic requirements. Local building regulations shall apply.

3.a.  The local government shall notify the permit applicant within 20 business days after the date the application is submitted as to whether the application is, for administrative purposes only, properly completed and has been properly submitted. However, such determination shall not be deemed as an approval of the application. Such notification shall indicate with specificity any deficiencies which, if cured, shall make the application properly completed.

b.  If the local government fails to grant or deny a properly completed application for a permit which has been properly submitted within the timeframes set forth in this paragraph, the permit shall be deemed automatically approved and the provider may proceed with placement of such facilities without interference or penalty. The timeframes specified in subparagraphs 1. and 2. shall be extended only to the extent that the permit has not been granted or denied because the local government's procedures generally applicable to all permits, require action by the governing body and such action has not taken place within the timeframes specified in subparagraphs 1. and 2. Under such circumstances, the local government must act to either grant or deny the permit at its next regularly scheduled meeting or, otherwise, the permit shall be deemed to be automatically approved.

c.  To be effective, a waiver of the timeframes set forth herein must be voluntarily agreed to by the applicant and the local government. A local government may request, but not require, a waiver of the timeframes by an entity seeking a permit, except that, with respect to a specific permit, a one-time waiver may be required in the case of a declared local, state, or federal emergency that directly affects the administration of all permitting activities of the local government.

(d)  Any additional wireless communications facilities, such as communication cables, adjacent accessory structures, or adjacent accessory equipment used in the provision of cellular, enhanced specialized mobile radio, or personal communications services, required within the existing secured equipment compound within the existing site shall be deemed a permitted use or activity. Local building and land development regulations, including any aesthetic requirements, shall apply.

(e)  Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the Department of Management Services shall negotiate, in the name of the state, leases for wireless communications facilities that provide access to state government-owned property not acquired for transportation purposes, and the Department of Transportation shall negotiate, in the name of the state, leases for wireless communications facilities that provide access to property acquired for state rights-of-way. On property acquired for transportation purposes, leases shall be granted in accordance with s. 337.251. On other state government-owned property, leases shall be granted on a space available, first-come, first-served basis. Payments required by state government under a lease must be reasonable and must reflect the market rate for the use of the state government-owned property. The Department of Management Services and the Department of Transportation are authorized to adopt rules for the terms and conditions and granting of any such leases.

(f)  Any wireless telephone service provider may report to the board no later than September 1, 2003, the specific locations or general areas within a county or municipality where the provider has experienced unreasonable delay to locate wireless telecommunications facilities necessary to provide the needed coverage for compliance with federal Phase II E911 requirements using its own network. The provider shall also provide this information to the specifically identified county or municipality no later than September 1, 2003. Unless the board receives no report that unreasonable delays have occurred, the board shall, no later than September 30, 2003, establish a subcommittee responsible for developing a balanced approach between the ability of providers to locate wireless facilities necessary to comply with federal Phase II E911 requirements using the carrier's own network and the desire of counties and municipalities to zone and regulate land uses to achieve public welfare goals. If a subcommittee is established, it shall include representatives from the Florida Telecommunications Industry Association, the Florida Association of Counties, and the Florida League of Cities. The subcommittee shall be charged with developing recommendations for the board and any specifically identified municipality or county to consider regarding actions to be taken for compliance for federal Phase II E911 requirements. In the annual report due to the Governor and the Legislature by February 28, 2004, the board shall include any recommendations developed by the subcommittee to address compliance with federal Phase II E911 requirements.

(12)  MISUSE OF WIRELESS 911 SYSTEM; PENALTY.--E911 service must be used solely for emergency communications by the public. Any person who knowingly uses or attempts to use such service for a purpose other than obtaining public safety assistance, or who knowingly uses or attempts to use such service in an effort to avoid any charge for service, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. After being convicted of unauthorized use of such service four times, a person who continues to engage in such unauthorized use commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. In addition, if the value of the service or the service charge obtained in a manner prohibited by this subsection exceeds $100, the person committing the offense commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(13)  STATE LAW NOT PREEMPTED.--This section and ss. 365.173 and 365.174 do not alter any state law that otherwise regulates providers of telecommunications service.

History.--s. 1, ch. 99-367; s. 2, ch. 2001-133; s. 7, ch. 2002-48; s. 19, ch. 2003-32; s. 1, ch. 2003-182.

365.173  Wireless Emergency Telephone System Fund.--

(1)  All revenues derived from the E911 fee levied on subscribers under s. 365.172 must be paid into the State Treasury on or before the 15th day of each month. Such moneys must be accounted for in a special fund to be designated as the Wireless Emergency Telephone System Fund, a fund created in the State Technology Office and must be invested by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to s. 17.61. All moneys in such fund are to be expended by the State Technology Office for the purposes provided in this section and s. 365.172. These funds are not subject to s. 215.20.

(2)  Subject to any modifications approved by the board pursuant to s. 365.172(8)(c), the moneys in the fund shall be distributed and used only as follows:

(a)  Forty-four percent of the moneys shall be distributed each month to counties, based on the total number of wireless subscriber billing addresses in each county, for payment of:

1.  Recurring costs of providing 911 or E911 service, as provided by s. 365.171(13)(a)6.

2.  Costs to comply with the requirements for E911 service contained in the order and any future rules related to the order.

A county may carry forward, for up to 3 successive calendar years, up to 30 percent of the total funds disbursed to the county by the board during a calendar year for expenditures for capital outlay, capital improvements, or equipment replacement, if such expenditures are made for the purposes specified in this paragraph.

(b)  Fifty-four percent of the moneys shall be distributed in response to sworn invoices submitted to the board by providers to reimburse such providers for the actual costs incurred to provide 911 or E911 service, including the costs of complying with the order. Such costs include costs and expenses incurred by providers to design, purchase, lease, program, install, test, upgrade, operate, and maintain all necessary data, hardware, and software required to provide E911 service. Up to 2 percent of the funds allocated to providers shall be retained by the board to be applied to costs and expenses incurred for the purposes of managing, administering, and overseeing the receipts and disbursements from the fund and other activities as defined in s. 365.172(6). Any funds retained for such purposes in a calendar year which are not applied to such costs and expenses by March 31 of the following year shall be distributed to providers pursuant to this paragraph. Beginning in state fiscal year 2000-2001, each provider shall submit to the board, by August 1 of each year, a detailed estimate of the capital and operating expenses for which it anticipates that it will seek reimbursement under this paragraph during the ensuing state fiscal year. By September 15 of each year, the board shall submit to the Legislature its legislative budget request for funds to be allocated to providers under this paragraph during the ensuing state fiscal year. The budget request shall be based on the information submitted by the providers and estimated surcharge revenues. Distributions of moneys in the fund by the board to providers must be fair and nondiscriminatory. If the total amount of moneys requested by providers pursuant to invoices submitted to the board and approved for payment exceeds the amount in the fund in any month, providers that have invoices approved for payment shall receive a pro rata share of moneys in the fund and the balance of the payments shall be carried over to the following month or months until all of the approved payments are made. The board may adopt rules necessary to address the manner in which pro rata distributions are made when the total amount of funds requested by providers pursuant to invoices submitted to the board exceeds the total amount of moneys on deposit in the fund.

(c)  Two percent of the moneys shall be used to make monthly distributions to rural counties for the purpose of providing facilities and network and service enhancements and assistance for the 911 or E911 systems operated by rural counties and for the provision of reimbursable loans and grants by the office to rural counties for upgrading 911 systems.

The Legislature recognizes that the wireless E911 fee authorized under s. 365.172 will not necessarily provide the total funding required for establishing or providing the 911 service. It is the intent of the Legislature that all revenue from the fee be used as specified in s. 365.171(13)(a)6.

(3)  The Auditor General shall annually audit the fund to ensure that moneys in the fund are being managed in accordance with this section and s. 365.172. The Auditor General shall provide a report of the annual audit to the board.

History.--s. 1, ch. 99-203; s. 50, ch. 2000-158; s. 3, ch. 2001-133; s. 2, ch. 2003-182; s. 379, ch. 2003-261.

365.174  Proprietary confidential business information.--

(1)  All proprietary confidential business information submitted by a provider to the board or the office, including the name and billing or service addresses of service subscribers, and trade secrets as defined by s. 812.081, is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Statistical abstracts of information collected by the board or the office may be released or published, but only in a manner that does not identify or allow identification of subscribers or their service numbers or of revenues attributable to any provider.

(2)  As used in this section, "proprietary confidential business information" means customer lists, customer numbers, and other related information, technology descriptions, technical information, or trade secrets, including trade secrets as defined in s. 812.081, and the actual or developmental costs of E911 systems that are developed, produced, or received internally by a provider or by a provider's employees, directors, officers, or agents.

(3)  This section is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act of 1995 in accordance with s. 119.15, and shall stand repealed on October 1, 2004, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

History.--s. 1, ch. 99-202; s. 4, ch. 2001-133.

365.175  Emergency telephone number 911 private branch exchange-private switch automatic location identification.--

(1)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:

(a)  "Automatic location identification" or "ALI" means the automatic display at the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) of the caller's telephone number, the address or location of the telephone, and supplementary emergency services information.

(b)  "Automatic location identification retrieval" or "ALI retrieval" means the process of querying the 911 database for ALI records.

(c)  "Automatic number identification" or "ANI" means the telephone number associated with the access line from which a call originates.

(d)  "Private branch exchange" or "PBX" means a private telephone system that is connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

(e)  "Private switch ALI" or "PSA" means a service option which provides enhanced 911 features for telephone stations behind private switches, e.g., PBX's.

(2)  REQUIRED ALI CAPABILITY.--Each PBX system installed after January 1, 2004, must be capable of providing automatic location identification to the station level.

History.--s. 3, ch. 2003-182.