A South Dakota Senate committee advanced a bill Thursday at the Capitol in Pierre that would make an increase in the state’s 911 surcharge permanent.

The monthly, per-line charge applies to landline and cellphone service, and is used to help local governments fund their 911 call centers. Legislators and Gov. Kristi Noem adopted a 75-cent increase in the surcharge last year, from $1.25 to $2. The temporary measure is set to expire on July 1, 2026.

The new bill would remove the sunset clause, making the fee increase permanent.

Several people representing state and local 911 organizations testified in favor of the bill, including Jenna Severyn, a lobbyist for the South Dakota Police Chiefs Association.

“This 911 increase does help create a stronger and safer South Dakota,” she said.

Before last year, lawmakers had not increased the surcharge since 2012, and it was supporting only 30% of local call centers’ operational costs while local governments funded the rest, said Jason Husby, the state’s 911 coordinator. He said the increased surcharge is covering about 45% of those costs.

Some legislators on the Senate Judiciary Committee expressed concerns Thursday about call center efficiencies — which were also raised last year — and encouraged Husby to work with call centers to consolidate. Husby said consolidation has already dropped the number of call centers in the state from 43 to 28 in recent years, and he said a newly prepared, statewide report on 911 operations provides a roadmap for further consolidation discussions.

A lobbyist for the wireless phone industry testified against the legislation, saying South Dakotans are paying $8 million more in surcharges annually because of the increase. He asked lawmakers to delay action on the sunset clause until next winter, which would allow time to study the new report and consider consolidations and efficiencies that might reduce the need for the higher surcharge.

Several lawmakers expressed concerns about the impact of the higher surcharge on South Dakotans’ finances, but nevertheless voted for the measure.

The single no vote against six yes votes came from the committee chairman, Sen. David Wheeler, R-Huron, who said he’s concerned about the state’s lack of control over the money and its inability to require consolidation by local call centers. But he also said he recognizes the need for an increased surcharge, and his no vote in the committee “doesn’t mean I’m not going to vote yes” when the bill comes up for a vote by the full Senate.