Governor Lee Vetoes 911 Fee Increase

Governor Bill Lee has vetoed an increase to the 911 surcharge. On your phone bill, you are charged each month $1.50 as a surcharge to fund local emergency communication systems…or 911. Back in December of 2024, the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board voted to increase the surcharge amount. That increase has to be approved by trhe state legislature. Both the house and the senate this year approved the 36 cent increase, which would take the 911 surcharge fee to $1.86. Governor Bill Lee has vetoed that move saying “Given the substantial reserves of the Tennessee Emergency Communications fund, a tax increase is not warranted at this time.”

The house and the senate just need a simple majority in the state to overturn a governor’s veto. It is not known at this time whether lawmakers will take that step. This is only the second time in his two terms as governor that Bill Lee has vetoed legislation.