Rep. Miller files bill in North Carolina House on 911 service funding allocations

A new bill filed by State Rep. Charles W. Miller in the North Carolina House seeks to improve 911 services and interoperability among emergency responders through targeted funding allocations, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 695 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Support VIPER/Assist 911 Operations/Dispatch.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates that the 911 Board allocate a minimum of 20% of total service charges to support the State Highway Patrol’s Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders (VIPER) system to enhance 911 services, improve interoperability between 911 systems and public safety radio systems, and ensure efficient dispatch of first responders. It also requires allocating at least 15% to the Next Generation 911 Reserve Fund and 5% to the PSAP Grant and Statewide Projects Account. The 911 Board is empowered to adopt temporary and permanent rules to implement these changes. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, affecting allocations after that date.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Miller proposed the most bills (34) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Miller graduated from Cape Fear Community College.

Miller, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 19th House district, replacing previous state representative Ted Davis Jr..