A bill that would have asked Missouri voters to approve new taxes on cell phones to provide or improve 9-1-1 service has died.

House lawmakers failed to take up the bill for a final vote prior to the close of the session May 14. The measure previously passed the Senate.

SB715, sponsored by Sen. Doyle Childers, R-Reeds Spring, would have let counties ask voters to impose a monthly tax of 12 cents to $1 on cell phone users to improve 9-1-1 service. Another option would let counties seek voter approval of a monthly 60-cent tax on wireless and traditional phones.

According to The Kansas City Star, counties where the tax was approved would keep slightly more than half the revenue, with up to 25 percent allocated to wireless phone companies for implementing and running 9-1-1 cell service.

The measure also sought to set aside 20 percent of the revenue for a new state fund, which would have been distributed to other counties that have approved the taxes but still are in need of financial aid to expand emergency services.