OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed into law a measure that lets counties and the state increase taxes on land lines and cell phones to pay for 911 system upgrades.
Voice-over-Internet phone services also will be taxed under the bill signed Tuesday.
The new law allows counties, starting Jan. 1, 2011, to increase their 911 excise tax to 70 cents per month, up from the current 50 cents. The state tax would increase by 5 cents, to 25 cents per month.
The money would help modernize 911 systems, especially in rural counties. The new system would include voice and data texting to help hearing impaired or deaf residents.
___
The enhanced 911 bill is Senate Bill 6846
___
Washington state Legislature: www.leg.wa.gov
