HB423: HB423 Emergency telephone number 9-1-1 system; Next Generation 9-1-1 systems and services; provide

Georgia's current 9-1-1 laws were written mainly around older, voice-only emergency call systems. This bill updates those laws to account for Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1), an internet-based system that can handle text, video, photos, and other data sent to emergency dispatchers, not just phone calls. The bill rewrites definitions in the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority's governing law (O.C.G.A. § 38-3-181) to define NG9-1-1, GIS data, and related terms. It expands the authority's duties to include building and securing a statewide emergency services network (called an ESInet), coordinating NG9-1-1 rollout with local governments, and training. It adds three new members to the authority's board of directors: the head of the Georgia Technology Authority (or a designee), a cybersecurity expert, and a geographic information systems expert. It also clarifies that the authority's executive director is the state's official 9-1-1 administrator. Starting July 1, 2025, any new or expanded 9-1-1 system in Georgia must meet either wireless enhanced 9-1-1 or NG9-1-1 service standards, and the authority cannot deny approval if a local plan meets those standards.

• Adds and revises definitions in Georgia's emergency communications law to formally define Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1), GIS data, ESInet, and related terms (O.C.G.A. § 38-3-181).
• Expands the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority's duties to include building, securing, and monitoring a statewide NG9-1-1 network and coordinating its rollout with local 9-1-1 centers.
• Adds three new members to the authority's board of directors: the executive director of the Georgia Technology Authority (or designee), a cybersecurity subject matter expert, and a GIS data subject matter expert.
• Designates the authority's executive director as the official state 9-1-1 administrator for state and federal program purposes.
• Requires that, starting July 1, 2025, any new or expanded 9-1-1 system conform to wireless enhanced 9-1-1 or NG9-1-1 service standards, and bars the authority from denying approval if a local plan meets those standards.

The bill affects the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority and its board, local governments and counties that run 9-1-1 call centers (public safety answering points), telecommunicators and 9-1-1 directors, telecommunications and technology companies that provide 9-1-1 network services, and ultimately anyone in Georgia who calls or texts 9-1-1 for emergency help.

By formally recognizing NG9-1-1 in state law, the bill sets the legal and technical groundwork for Georgians to eventually reach 9-1-1 through text, photos, or video, not just voice calls, and for the state to build a more secure, coordinated statewide emergency network overseen by an expanded, more technically specialized board.

• Section 1-1 rewrites O.C.G.A. § 38-3-181 to add definitions for NG9-1-1, commonly accepted standards, ESInet, GIS data, and 9-1-1 requests for emergency assistance.
• Section 1-2 revises O.C.G.A. § 38-3-182 to give the authority new duties: administering the state ESInet, coordinating cybersecurity, setting GIS data standards, and planning NG9-1-1 implementation with local and regional stakeholders.
• Section 1-2 also adds three new appointed members to the authority's board: the Georgia Technology Authority's executive director (or designee), a cybersecurity expert, and a GIS expert.
• Section 1-3 revises O.C.G.A. § 38-3-183 to designate the authority's executive director as the state 9-1-1 administrator for state and federal program purposes.
• Section 2-1 adds a cross-referenced NG9-1-1 definition to O.C.G.A. § 46-5-122.
• Section 2-3 revises O.C.G.A. § 46-5-126 so the Public Service Commission is directed to encourage the telephone industry to support timely implementation of NG9-1-1.
• Section 2-4 revises O.C.G.A. § 46-5-127 to require, effective July 1, 2025, that new or expanded 9-1-1 systems meet wireless enhanced 9-1-1 or NG9-1-1 standards, while barring the authority from denying compliant local plans.

1. 2025-05-08Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-05-08Act 65
3. 2025-05-08House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-20Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-20Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2025-03-13Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2025-03-11Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Will Wade (R, HD-009)Primary sponsor
• Sandy Donatucci (R, HD-105)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)
• Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 28, 2025

   163 yea, 0 nay (8 not voting, 9 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #114

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 20, 2025

   53 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 3 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #260

• 9-1-1 systems
• emergency communications
• public safety
• Next Generation 9-1-1
• cybersecurity