On February 25, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 775 – Workgroup to Study Implementation of a Statewide 3-1-1 Nonemergency Telephone System.
This bill establishes a workgroup to study the implementation of a statewide 3-1-1 nonemergency telephone system. This effort aims to improve access to government services, streamline public inquiries, and reduce unnecessary burdens on emergency response systems.
During the hearing, Mr. Sanderson complimented the approach in the bill, noting “we are here often to raise concerns that State mandates sometimes override successful local efforts, but here the approach is to build on them.” He also indicated comfort with amendments designed to alter the scale and pace of the effort, in line with recommendations from a forthcoming consultant report (and to bring the fiscal note for the bill to more reasonable territory).
A well-designed 3-1-1 system benefits both residents and emergency services. Directing nonemergency inquiries away from 9-1-1 call centers allows emergency dispatchers to focus on life-threatening situations while ensuring residents receive timely responses to service requests. Local governments are essential partners in this effort, as they operate many services that a 3-1-1 system would manage, such as public works, transportation, and community resources.
SB 775’s cross-file, HB 1027, was heard on March 10 in the House Health and Government Operations Committee. Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified in support of this bill.
SB 775 was heard in the opposite chamber, the Health and Government Operations Committee, on March 25. MACo submitted written testimony in support of this bill.
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