Authorization to Establish Surcharge

(a)The Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) shall establish and amend, as required, a monthly surcharge to be known as the “911 Surcharge” to be paid by Local Exchange Telephone and Commercial Mobile Radio Service subscribers.

(b)The Commission may establish different rates for residential, government and business subscribers.

(c)The 911 Surcharge shall be established by the Commission at a rate not to exceed One Dollar ($1.00) per month per subscriber line telephone service, and at a rate not to exceed One Dollar ($1.00) per month per line number for commercial mobile radio service.

(d)The purpose of the “911 Surcharge” is to fund the just and reasonable expenses of operating and maintaining the “911” system, which shall be the responsibility of the Guam Fire Department (“Department”). The Department shall petition the Commission, in accordance with Commission rules, for the COL6/24/2021 CH. 12 PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION AND THE GUAM TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 2004 establishment of a “911 Surcharge,” and for its amendment from time to time; however, the Commission may on its own initiative examine the adequacy of the surcharge at any time.

(e)It is the intent of I Liheslaturan Guåhan that the “911 Surcharge” authorized by this Chapter not necessarily provide the total funding required for establishing or providing the “911" service.

(f)In the event the surcharge is insufficient to cover the annual “911” system operating costs, as determined by the Commission, then the Commission shall immediately notify I Liheslaturan Guåhan of the shortfall, and the Department shall request an appropriation in its annual budget to cover any such shortfall.

(g)In exercising its responsibilities under this Act, the Commission shall have the powers and duties prescribed in its enabling legislation, Chapter 12 of Title 12 of the Guam Code Annotated.

(h)Surcharge revenues shall not be expended by the Department for the procurement of supplies, equipment or services in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), without the prior approval of the Commission as to the prudence and reasonableness of the procurement.