911 prepaid phone cards taxable?

Users of prepaid wireless phone cards in the Tri-parishes could have to pay a 9-1-1 service charge if legislation is passed by the state.

The Terrebonne Parish Council approved a resolution at a regular meeting in February requesting that the parish’s state representatives support legislation assessing a fee on the cards.

St. Mary and Lafourche parishes have passed similar resolutions, said Mark Boudreaux, executive director of the Terrebonne Parish Communications District.

The district receives revenue from fees assessed on wireline and wireless phone service. The rates are established by the state Public Service Commission.

Boudreaux said no call-back number is displayed when prepaid cards are used. The district cannot know where the emergency calls come from.

“They should be assessed,” Boudreaux said.

The Terrebonne Parish Council’s resolution states that the use of prepaid wireless cards is increasing.

Around 57,000 emergency calls were placed in the parish last year, 36,000 from cell phones.

Half of the emergency cell phone calls were placed on prepaid wireless cards, Boudreaux said.

He said many elderly people buy one prepaid wireless card a year. Also, parents buy prepaid wireless cards for their children.