al-al-6a876bf14bc323328ef79e32: 585-X-4-.11 — Consolidation, Dissolution, and Contracted Services Among Emergency Communication Districts
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What this rule does
The Alabama Statewide 9-1-1 Board proposes a new rule that establishes standardized procedures for the consolidation, dissolution, and contracted services of emergency communication districts. This rule outlines the requirements for application and approval processes related to mergers between districts, as well as the conditions for maintaining separate legal identities while sharing 9-1-1 services.
Plain-language description generated by AI — not the agency’s official summary, which we have not captured for this rule. Read the official text →
The rule, in full
5,135 words as published, August 31, 2026. View the original →
APA-1 TRANSMITTAL SHEET FOR NOTICE OF INTENDED ACTION Control: 585 Department or Agency: Alabama Statewide Nine-One-One Board Rule No.: 585-X-4-.11 Rule Title: Consolidation, Dissolution, and Contracted Services Among Emergency Communication Districts Intended Action New Would the absence of the proposed rule significantly harm or endanger the public health, welfare, or safety? Yes Is there a reasonable relationship between the state’s police Yes power and the protection of the public health, safety, or welfare? Is there another, less restrictive method of regulation available that could adequately protect the public? No increasing the costs of any goods or services involved?ndirectly Yes To what degree?: Indirectly, and to a limited degree, and only as to districts enter a contracted services agreement. Those districts willor incur cost to prepare the required application and transition, dissolution, or separation plan, to extract or merge GIS data, to coordinate ESRP reprogramming, and — in the case of of the consolidated or contracted period. The rule imposes noit cost on districts that do not undertake such a change, and no cost on subscribers, because it does not affect the 9-1-1 service charge. Is the increase in cost more harmful to the public than the harm that might result from the absence of the proposed rule? No purpose of, and so they have, as their primary effect, thefor the Yes protection of the public? litigation which the agency is a party to concerning the subject No matter of the proposed rule? Does the proposed rule have an economic impact? Yes If the proposed rule has an economic impact, the proposed rule is required to be accompanied by a fiscal note prepared in accordance with subsection (f) of Section 41-22-23, Code of Alabama 1975. F IL E D Certification of Authorized Official R E C ’D & G 20,2 026 with the requirements of Chapter 22, Title 41,beeCode of Alabama 1975, and that it C Y conforms to all applicable filing requirements of the AdministrativeTIVoEeSure A G EN Division of the Legislative Services Agency. LE G ISL A APA-1 Signature of certifying officer Caleb Branch Caleb Branch Date Thursday, August 20, 2026 APA-2 ALABAMA STATEWIDE NINE-ONE-ONE BOARD NOTICE OF INTENDED ACTION AGENCY NAME: Alabama Statewide Nine One One Board 585-X-4-.11 Consolidation, Dissolution, and RULE NO. & TITLE: Contracted Services Among Emergency Communication Districts INTENDED ACTION: New SUBSTANCE OF PROPOSED ACTION: The Alabama Statewide 9-1-1 Board proposes to adopt a new Rule 585-X-4-.11 of the Alabama Administrative Code establishing uniform procedures governing changes in the structure of emergency communication districts. The proposed rule prescribes: the application, resolutions, intergovernmental agreement contents, and transition plan required for Board approval of a consolidation of two or more districts, together with the effect of consolidation on 9-1-1 Fund distributions; the application, agreement contents, amendment, and termination requirements applicable to contracted services agreements under which one district provides 9-1-1 answering, dispatch, or related services on behalf of another while each retains its separate legal identity; the notice periods, plan requirements, and Board approval process governing dissolution of a district by its creating authority and separation of a party from a consolidated district or contracted services arrangement, including requirements addressing governance, PST-1 certification prior to receipt of live 9-1-1 traffic, infrastructure, ANGEN/ESRP call routing, GIS data, final financial audit, and continuity of service; the resumption of independent 9-1-1 Fund distributions following an approved separation; and Board oversight, annual status reporting, withholding of distributions for noncompliance, applicable technical standards, and waiver for good cause. The rule also provides notice regarding the absence of any current statutory mechanism for the creation of a new emergency communication district following dissolution. The full text of the proposed rule is available from the contact person named below and on the Board's website. TIME, PLACE AND MANNER OF PRESENTING VIEWS: Written comments on the proposed action will be received at any time from the date of publication of this notice through the close of the public hearing described below. Comments may be submitted by United States mail to Caleb Branch, Executive Director, Alabama Statewide 9-1-1 Board, P.O. Box 1790, Montgomery, Alabama 36102-1790; by hand delivery or courier to the Board's office at 1 Commerce Street, Suite 620, Montgomery, Alabama 36104; or by electronic mail to caleb@al911.gov. Written comments must be received no later than the final date for comment stated below. A public hearing on the proposed action will be held at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at the Tuscaloosa County Emergency Operations Center, 7400 Richard M. Pierce Parkway, Northport, Alabama 35473, at which any interested person may present oral or written views. Written comments may also be delivered in person at the hearing. Any person wishing to present oral comment is requested, but not required, to notify the contact person named below in advance so that the Board may allot time. Any person requiring an accommodation to participate should contact the person named below not fewer than five (5) business days before the hearing. The full text of the proposed action is available at no charge from the contact person named below and on the Board's website at al911.gov. FINAL DATE FOR COMMENT AND COMPLETION OF NOTICE: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 APA-2 CONTACT PERSON AT AGENCY: Caleb Branch, Executive Director Alabama Statewide 9-1-1 Board Mailing address: P.O. Box 1790, Montgomery, Alabama 36102-1790 Street address: 1 Commerce Street, Suite 620, Montgomery, Alabama 36104 Telephone: (334) 440-7911 Email: caleb@al911.gov Website: al911.gov Caleb Branch Caleb Branch (Signature of officer authorized to promulgate and adopt rules or his or her deputy) 585-X-4-.11 Consolidation, Dissolution, and Contracted Services Among Emergency Communication Districts. (1) PURPOSE This rule establishes the procedures and requirements governing: (a) the consolidation of two or more Emergency Communication Districts (ECDs); (b) the dissolution or separation of a previously consolidated or independent ECD; and (c) the execution and oversight of intergovernmental agreements under which one ECD contracts with another ECD or qualifying entity for the provision of 9-1-1 answering, dispatch, or related services. This rule is promulgated pursuant to the authority vested in the Alabama Statewide 9-1-1 Board (Board) by Code of Ala. 1975, §§11-98-4.1(e)(8) and 11-98-6, as amended, and in accordance with the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, Code of Ala. 1975, §41-22-1 et seq. (2) APPLICABILITY This rule applies to all ECDs validly created and operating pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-4, as amended, and to any creating authority, municipality, county, or political subdivision that proposes to consolidate, dissolve, separate, or enter into contracted service arrangements affecting 9-1-1 operations within the State of Alabama. (3) DEFINITIONS As used in this rule, the following terms have the meanings set forth below unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Terms not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-1, as amended, and the definitions contained in Rule 585-X-3. (a) "Board" means the Alabama Statewide 9-1-1 Board created pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-4.1. (b) "Consolidation" or "Consolidated District" means the formal merger of two or more ECDs, or the assumption of one ECD's 9-1-1 operations by another ECD, pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-6(c), resulting in a single surviving district that is the legal employer and operational authority for the combined service area. (c) "Contracted Services Agreement" or "IGA" means a written intergovernmental agreement executed between two or more ECDs, or 4-.11-1 between an ECD and a qualifying political subdivision, pursuant to which one party (the "Host District") agrees to provide 9-1-1 answering, dispatch, or related services on behalf of another party (the "Contracting District"), while each party retains its separate legal identity and independent board. (d) "Creating Authority" means the municipal governing body or county governing body that created an ECD pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-4. (e) "Dissolution" means the termination and winding-down of an ECD's independent operations, whether arising from: (i) voluntary action by the creating authority; (ii) separation from a previously consolidated district; or (iii) any other lawful process resulting in the ECD ceasing to function as a primary PSAP. (f) "Emergency Services Routing Proxy" or "ESRP" means the network element within the Alabama Next Generation 9-1-1 (ANGEN) statewide system responsible for routing 9-1-1 calls to the appropriate PSAP based on geographic location. (g) "Host District" means the ECD designated in a Consolidation agreement or Contracted Services Agreement as the primary operational authority responsible for receiving and processing 9-1-1 calls for a defined geographic service area. (h) "PST" means a Public Safety Telecommunicator as defined in Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-1, as amended. (i) "PST-1 Certification" means the Alabama Public Safety Telecommunicator-1 certification required pursuant to Rule 585-X-5. (j) "Separation" means the act of a party withdrawing from a previously consolidated district or contracted services arrangement and re- establishing, or establishing for the first time, an independent PSAP operation. (k) "Statewide 9-1-1 Fund" or "9-1-1 Fund" has the meaning ascribed by Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-5, as amended. (4) CONSOLIDATION OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION DISTRICTS (a) Board Approval Required. No consolidation of two or more ECDs shall be effective unless and until the Board has approved the consolidation pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-6(c). Approval 4-.11-2 by the Board is in addition to, and does not substitute for, any required approvals of the creating authorities of the affected districts. (b) Application for Consolidation Approval. Districts proposing to consolidate shall submit a joint written application to the Board's Executive Director not fewer than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the proposed effective date of consolidation. The application shall include:
1. Certified copies of resolutions adopted by the board of
commissioners of each participating district finding that consolidation is in the best interest of public safety, efficiency, and financial sustainability, consistent with Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-6(c).
2. Certified copies of resolutions or ordinances adopted by each
creating authority authorizing the consolidation.
3. A fully executed Intergovernmental Agreement that complies
with the requirements of subsection (4)(c) of this rule.
4. A transition plan addressing personnel, GIS, call routing,
technology, and financial matters as set forth in subsection (4) (d) of this rule.
5. Documentation that all requirements of Code of Ala. 1975,
Chapter 98, as amended, have been met. (c) Required Contents of Consolidation Agreement. The Intergovernmental Agreement executed in connection with any consolidation shall, at a minimum, address:
1. The identity of the Host District and the legal basis for the
surviving district's governance and operations.
3. The governance structure for the consolidated entity,
including whether the secondary district's board is merged, dissolved, or retained in an advisory capacity.
4. The mechanism for redirecting 9-1-1 Fund distributions to the
Host District, as provided in subsection (4)(e). 4-.11-3
5. The disposition of all assets, liabilities, contracts,
licenses, and equipment of the participating districts.
6. The terms and conditions governing the employment or transfer
of PSTs, including compliance with all applicable PST-1 certification requirements under Rule 585-X-5.
7. Any provisions addressing the duration of the agreement and
conditions for separation, consistent with subsection (6) of this rule, and an explicit acknowledgment that no statutory mechanism exists for the creation of a new ECD following dissolution. (d) Transition Plan Requirements. The transition plan required by subsection (4)(b)(4) shall address, at a minimum:
1. GIS Integration. The process and timeline for merging the
secondary district's road centerlines, address points, and related geospatial data into the Host District's master GIS database in compliance with Board GIS standards.
2. ANGEN / ESRP Reprogramming. The process and timeline for
reprogramming the ESRP to route all 9-1-1 calls originating within the secondary district's geographic boundaries to the Host District's PSAP, coordinated through the Board's designated ANGEN administrator.
3. Technology. An inventory of Call Premise Equipment (CPE),
consoles, recorders, and other infrastructure identifying what is transferred, retained, decommissioned, or disposed.
4. Financial. A statement of projected revenues and expenditures
for the consolidated entity and the method of addressing any shortfall between the secondary district's existing obligations and future distributions. (e) Effect on 9-1-1 Fund Distributions. Upon Board approval and on the effective date of consolidation, the Board shall redirect all monthly 9-1-1 Fund distributions attributable to the secondary district to the Host District. The combined base distribution amount for the consolidated district shall be calculated in accordance with Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-5.2(b)(3) and Rule 585-X-4-.09, to include the combined base distribution amounts of all predecessor districts, consistent with Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-6(c). (f) Annual Certification Following Consolidation. The consolidated district shall continue to provide annual certification to the Board pursuant to Rule 585-X-4-.04. Failure to submit timely annual 4-.11-4 certification shall subject the consolidated district to withholding of distributions in accordance with Rule 585-X-4-.06. (5) CONTRACTED SERVICES AGREEMENTS BETWEEN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION DISTRICTS (a) Authority and General Requirements. Pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-6(c), two or more districts may agree to cooperate to provide 9-1-1 services to their respective service areas. Such cooperation may be effected by a Contracted Services Agreement (IGA) approved by the Board, without the parties losing their separate legal identities or independent governance structures. No IGA shall be operative until approved by the Board. (b) Application for Board Approval of IGA. Districts proposing to enter into a Contracted Services Agreement shall submit a joint written application to the Board's Executive Director not fewer than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the proposed effective date. The application shall include:
1. Resolutions adopted by the board of commissioners of each
participating district authorizing the IGA.
3. A description of the 9-1-1 services to be provided by the Host
District on behalf of the Contracting District.
4. Documentation that the arrangement does not impair 9-1-1
service continuity, redundancy requirements, or technical standards established by the Board. (c) Required Contents of Contracted Services Agreement. Each IGA submitted for Board approval shall include, at a minimum:
1. A clear identification of the Host District and Contracting
District(s), and the geographic service area(s) covered.
3. The financial terms, including any compensation, cost-sharing,
or reimbursement provisions, and confirmation that 9-1-1 Fund 4-.11-5 distributions received by each party shall be used exclusively for purposes authorized by Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-6(a).
4. Provisions ensuring compliance with all PST-1 certification
requirements under Rule 585-X-5 for any PSTs employed by or performing services on behalf of the Host District under the agreement.
5. The initial term of the agreement, renewal provisions, and
notice requirements for termination, which shall not be less than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days' written notice unless the parties mutually agree otherwise in writing.
6. Provisions addressing continuity of service in the event of
termination, including interim operational arrangements and notification to the Board.
7. Acknowledgment that each district retains its separate legal
identity, independent board of commissioners, and responsibility for annual certification under Rule 585-X-4-.04. (d) Effect on 9-1-1 Fund Distributions Under IGA. A Contracted Services Agreement does not alter the distribution of 9-1-1 Fund revenues between the contracting parties. Each district shall continue to receive its own monthly distributions from the 9-1-1 Fund in accordance with applicable law and Board rules. Financial obligations between the parties under an IGA shall be governed solely by the terms of the IGA and shall not affect each district's separate distributions from the Board. (e) Amendments and Renewals. Any material amendment to a Board-approved IGA shall be submitted to the Board's Executive Director not fewer than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the effective date of the amendment. The Board may require additional information or a formal Board review before an amendment takes effect. Routine administrative amendments that do not alter service scope, financial terms, or parties may be submitted to the Executive Director for administrative approval without formal Board action. (f) IGA Termination and Transition. Upon notice of termination of an IGA, the Contracting District shall notify the Board's Executive Director in writing within ten (10) business days of providing or receiving such notice. The Contracting District shall demonstrate to the Board that adequate alternative 9-1-1 service arrangements will be in place prior to the expiration of the notice period. Failure to demonstrate adequate alternative arrangements may result in 4-.11-6 withholding of distributions pursuant to Rule 585-X-4-.06 until continuity of 9-1-1 service is established. (6) DISSOLUTION AND SEPARATION OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION DISTRICTS (a) Statutory Restriction on New District Formation. The Board hereby gives notice that, pursuant to the current provisions of Code of Ala. 1975, Chapter 98, as amended, once an ECD has been dissolved or has participated in a consolidation and the surviving district has been recognized by the Board, no provision of current statute authorizes the creation of a new Emergency Communication District in the same jurisdiction. Any district or creating authority contemplating dissolution or consolidation shall acknowledge in writing that this statutory restriction has been communicated and understood prior to the Board granting approval. This provision shall not be construed to supersede any future legislative enactment that expressly authorizes the creation of new districts. (b) Voluntary Dissolution by Creating Authority. A creating authority that proposes to dissolve an ECD shall provide written notice to the Board's Executive Director and to the board of commissioners of the district not fewer than one hundred eighty (180) calendar days prior to the proposed effective date of dissolution. The creating authority shall simultaneously submit a dissolution plan to the Board that addresses all requirements of subsection (6)(d) of this rule. (c) Separation from a Consolidated District. A party that seeks to separate from a consolidated district or to terminate a Contracted Services Agreement and re-establish independent 9-1-1 operations shall:
1. Provide written notice to the Board's Executive Director and
the Host District in accordance with the notice provisions of the applicable IGA or consolidation agreement, which shall not be less than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days unless the Board grants a waiver for good cause shown.
2. Submit an application for separation approval to the Board not
fewer than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the proposed separation date, accompanied by the separation plan required by subsection (6)(d) of this rule. 4-.11-7
3. Obtain approval from the applicable creating authority by
resolution prior to submitting a separation application to the Board. (d) Dissolution / Separation Plan Requirements. A dissolution or separation plan submitted to the Board shall include: 2. Governance. Evidence of appointment of a new seven-member board of commissioners, if applicable, consistent with Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-4, and documentation of registration with the Alabama Secretary of State and notification to the Board. 3. PST Certification. A certification plan demonstrating that all PSTs at the reconstituted or successor PSAP will achieve and maintain PST-1 certification pursuant to Rule 585-X-5 prior to the PSAP receiving live 9-1-1 traffic. No PSAP established pursuant to this rule shall receive live 9-1-1 calls until 100% PST-1 certification compliance is verified by the Board.
4. Infrastructure. A plan for acquisition or transfer of CPE and
all necessary equipment for independent operation, including application for any applicable Board grant programs, consistent with the Board's current 5-Year Strategic Plan.
5. ANGEN / ESRP Re-establishment. A technical plan, coordinated
with the Board's ANGEN administrator, for reprogramming the ESRP to route 9-1-1 calls originating in the separating jurisdiction's GIS boundaries to the new or reconstituted PSAP, and for installation of redundant ANGEN network connectivity at the new facility.
6. GIS. A plan for extracting, validating, and independently
maintaining the separating jurisdiction's road centerline, address point, and related GIS data in conformance with Board GIS standards.
7. Financial Audit. A final financial audit of the consolidated
or contracted period, verifiable by the Board, confirming that all 9-1-1 Fund revenues received during the period were expended for purposes authorized by Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-6(a). The audit shall be completed and submitted prior to the Board authorizing resumption of independent distributions.
8. Continuity. A description of any interim service arrangement
to ensure uninterrupted 9-1-1 coverage during the transition period. 4-.11-8 (e) Board Review and Approval of Dissolution or Separation. The Board shall review a completed dissolution or separation application at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting following the expiration of the applicable notice period, provided the application is submitted with adequate time for staff review. The Board may approve, conditionally approve, or deny an application based on whether the proposed plan adequately protects the continuity and quality of 9-1-1 service to the public. Board approval shall be a prerequisite to the effective date of any dissolution or separation. (f) Resumption of Independent 9-1-1 Fund Distributions. Upon Board approval of a dissolution or separation, and upon the Board's verification that the reconstituted PSAP has achieved full PST-1 certification compliance and has satisfied all technical and operational prerequisites of this rule, the Board shall establish a new monthly distribution amount for the separating district effective the first full calendar month of independent operation. The distribution calculation shall be based on the applicable census data and distribution formula in effect pursuant to Rule 585-X-4-. 08. (7) BOARD OVERSIGHT, REPORTING, AND ENFORCEMENT (a) Ongoing Reporting. Any district operating under a Board-approved consolidation or IGA shall include in its annual certification submitted pursuant to Rule 585-X-4-.04 a current status report on the arrangement, including any material changes in operations, governance, financial condition, or compliance with the applicable agreement. (b) Withholding of Funds. The Board may withhold distributions from the 9-1-1 Fund to any district that fails to comply with the requirements of this rule, including failure to submit required applications, transition plans, dissolution plans, or financial audits, pursuant to the authority vested in the Board by Rule 585- X-4-.06 and Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-4.1. (c) Technical Standards. All consolidations, contracted services arrangements, and separations shall comply with the applicable technical and operational standards established by the Board for the ANGEN network, including GIS data standards, ESRP configuration protocols, and CPE requirements, as amended from time to time. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to authorize the establishment of technical standards for 9-1-1 services beyond the 4-.11-9 authority granted to the Board by Code of Ala. 1975, §11-98-4.1(e) (8). (d) Waiver. The Board may waive or modify a procedural requirement of this rule upon a finding, supported by good cause shown, that strict compliance would not serve the public interest or would impose an undue hardship on the district. No waiver shall be granted that would abrogate any requirement imposed by statute. (8) SUMMARY OF KEY REQUIREMENTS BY TYPE OF ARRANGEMENT The following table provides a non-binding summary for reference. In the event of any conflict between this summary and the provisions of this rule, the text of the rule shall control. Element Consolidation Separation / Contracted Services (Joining) Dissolution (Leaving) Governance Merge boards or New independent 7- Each district retains execute IGA; one host member board its own board; IGA district governs appointed; registered governs service scope operations. with Secretary of only. State and 911 Board. Funding / 911 Fund Board splits Distributions Distributions distributions flow to distributions to new continue to each host district; stand-alone district separate district; secondary district effective first full IGA specifies cost- may be invoiced for month of independent sharing. deficiency. operation. GIS / Call Secondary district Local GIS data No GIS merger; host Routing GIS merged into host extracted; ESRP district routing layer; ESRP reprogrammed to re- maintained unless IGA reprogrammed to host establish routing to specifies overflow PSAP. new PSAP. routing. Personnel Host district assumes Separating district PSTs remain employed management and hiring recruits and by respective of all PSTs. certifies its own districts or host PSTs before live 911 district as specified traffic. in IGA. PST Continued under host New PSAP must achieve Certification Certification district program. 100% PST-1 maintained per each certification before employing agency; authorization to host district receive live calls. responsible for contracted PSTs. 4-.11-10 Element Consolidation Separation / Contracted Services (Joining) Dissolution (Leaving) Board Yes, per Code of Ala. Yes, dissolution/ Yes, IGA must be Approval 1975, §11-98-6(c). separation plan must submitted to and Required be approved by Board approved by Board. and creating authority. Author: Caleb Branch Statutory Authority: Sections 11-98-2, 11-98-4, 11-98-4.1, 11-98-5, 11-98-5.2, and 11-98-6, Code of Alabama 1975, as amended. History: New Rule: Published ______; effective ______. 4-.11-11 APA-6 ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT FOR APA RULE (Section 41-22-23(f)) Control No: 585 Department or Agency: Alabama Statewide Nine-One-One Board Rule No: 585-X-4-.11 Consolidation, Dissolution, and Contracted Rule Title: Services Among Emergency Communication Districts Intended Action: New This rule has no economic impact. Yes This rule has an economic impact, as explained below:
1. NEED/EXPECTED BENEFIT OF RULE:
Emergency communication districts have consolidated, contracted for services, and separated without a published, uniform procedure governing what must be submitted to the Board, when, and on what basis approval is granted. The absence of a procedure creates risk to continuity of 9-1-1 service at the moment of transition and uncertainty for districts and creating authorities planning such a change. Expected benefits are: predictable application requirements and lead times; verification, before the effective date, that call routing, GIS data, personnel certification, and technology will be in place; orderly treatment of 9-1-1 Fund distributions on consolidation and on resumption of independent operation; accountability for 9-1-1 Fund revenues expended during a consolidated or contracted period; and advance notice to creating authorities of the statutory consequences of dissolution.
2. COSTS/BENEFITS OF RULE AND WHY RULES IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT,
AND FEASIBLE MEANS FOR ALLOCATING RESOURCES AND ACHIEVING THE STATED PURPOSE: Costs. Districts electing to consolidate, contract, dissolve, or separate will incur cost to prepare applications and plans, to merge or extract GIS data, to coordinate ESRP reprogramming with the Board's ANGEN administrator, to inventory and transfer equipment, and, on dissolution or separation, to complete a final financial audit. The Board will incur staff cost to review applications and verify readiness prior to approval. Benefits. Uninterrupted 9-1-1 service through structural transitions; accurate call routing on the effective date; assurance that no PSAP APA-6 receives live 9-1-1 traffic without full PST-1 certification; and verified accounting for 9-1-1 Fund revenues. Why this is the most effective, efficient, and feasible means. The requirements are largely a codification of work a district must perform in any event to complete a consolidation or separation competently; the rule sequences that work and sets lead times so that it is completed before, rather than after, the change takes effect. Centralizing review at the Board avoids duplicative negotiation of technical requirements in each transaction, and the waiver provision in subsection (7)(d) permits relief from a procedural requirement where strict compliance would impose undue hardship.
3. EFFECT OF THIS RULE ON COMPETITION:
Minimal to none. The regulated parties are emergency communication districts and their creating authorities, which are political subdivisions serving defined geographic areas and are not in competition with one another. The rule neither requires nor prohibits any particular vendor, product, or service, and does not restrict a district's ability to contract with another district or qualifying political subdivision for 9-1-1 services.
4. EFFECT OF THIS RULE ON COST-OF-LIVING AND DOING BUSINESS IN THE
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA WHERE THE RULE IS TO BE IMPLEMENTED: No direct effect. The rule does not alter the 9-1-1 service charge, which is established by statute, and imposes no fee, tax, license, or reporting obligation on individuals or private businesses.
5. EFFECT OF THIS RULE ON EMPLOYMENT IN THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA WHERE THE
RULE IS TO BE IMPLEMENTED: The rule does not itself create or eliminate any position. Consolidation, separation, and contracted service arrangements affect the employment of public safety telecommunicators, and the rule requires that those effects be addressed in advance through a personnel transition plan and that certification be maintained through the transition. The effect of the rule is therefore to make employment consequences explicit and planned rather than incidental.
6. SOURCE OF REVENUE TO BE USED FOR IMPLEMENTING AND ENFORCING THIS RULE:
Board review and oversight activities are funded from the Board's existing appropriations and from the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund as authorized by Sections 11-98-5 and 11-98-5.2, Code of Alabama 1975. District-level costs of preparing applications, plans, and audits are payable from 9-1-1 Fund distributions for purposes authorized by Section 11-98-6(a). APA-6
7. THE SHORT-TERM/LONG-TERM ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THIS RULE ON EFFECTED
PERSONS, INCLUDING ANALYSIS OF PERSONS WHO WILL BEAR THE COSTS AND THOSE WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE RULE: Only those districts and creating authorities that voluntarily elect to consolidate, contract, dissolve, or separate, and the Board in reviewing such applications. Districts that make no structural change bear no cost under this rule other than the annual status report required by subsection (7)(a) for districts already operating under an approved arrangement. Who benefits. Residents of the affected jurisdictions, who receive uninterrupted and correctly routed 9-1-1 service through the transition; the districts themselves, which receive a defined process and predictable treatment of fund distributions; and the 9-1-1 Fund, through verified accounting of revenues expended during consolidated or contracted periods. Long term. Consolidation and contracted service arrangements conducted under a uniform process are expected to reduce duplicated overhead among participating districts. Costs under this rule are transactional and non-recurring for any given district.
8. UNCERTAINTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ESTIMATED BENEFITS AND BURDENS OF
THE RULE, INCLUDING QUALITATIVE/QUANTITATIVE BENEFITS AND BURDEN COMPARISON: The number of consolidations, contracted service agreements, dissolutions, and separations that will occur in any period is not predictable, so aggregate cost cannot be estimated with confidence. The cost of GIS extraction or merger, ESRP reprogramming, and equipment acquisition varies substantially with the size of the district and the condition of its existing data and infrastructure. The benefit — an emergency call correctly routed and answered during and after a structural transition — is qualitative and is not readily monetized. The Board has concluded that the burden, which falls only on districts electing a voluntary structural change and largely duplicates work those districts must perform regardless, is outweighed by the risk of service interruption the rule is designed to prevent.
9. THE EFFECT OF THIS RULE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH:
No environmental effect. The effect on public health is positive, in that the rule is directed to preventing interruption or misrouting of emergency 9-1-1 communications during changes in district structure
10. DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH IF THE RULE IS
NOT IMPLEMENTED: No environmental effect. If the rule is not implemented, structural changes among districts would continue to occur without uniform advance review of call routing, GIS data, personnel certification, technology, and continuity planning, and without verified accounting for 9-1-1 Fund revenues. The resulting risk is that emergency calls APA-6 originating in an affected jurisdiction are misrouted, delayed, or answered by uncertified personnel at the moment of transition. Signature of certifying officer Caleb Branch Caleb Branch Date Thursday, August 20, 2026
Rulemaking docket
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Documents
- Full text (state register) · August 31, 2026
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