Georgia CommonsHouse · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HB 423: Emergency telephone number 9-1-1 system; Next Generation 9-1-1 systems and services; provide
Last action July 1, 2025 · Effective Date
House Bill 423 updates Georgia's 9-1-1 laws to define and require Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) systems, which handle text, photos, and video, and expands the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority's oversight role and board membership.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
Georgia law currently defines 9-1-1 systems mainly around traditional voice calls and older 'enhanced' wireless service. This bill rewrites those definitions and adds new ones for Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1), an internet-protocol based system that can handle voice, text, photos, video, and other data, along with related terms like ESInet (the statewide network connecting 9-1-1 centers), GIS data, and Next Generation core services. The bill expands the duties of the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority, adding responsibilities like operating a network management center, setting technical standards, coordinating NG9-1-1 rollout with local governments and other states, and helping public safety answering points apply for grants. It adds three new members to the authority's board: the head of the Georgia Technology Authority (or designee), a cybersecurity expert, and a GIS expert. It also names the authority's executive director as the official state 9-1-1 administrator. Starting July 1, 2025, any new or expanded 9-1-1 system must meet either wireless enhanced 9-1-1 or NG9-1-1 standards before the authority will approve it.
What the bill does
- Creates a legal definition for Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) as an internet protocol based system that is secure, interoperable, and can process multiple types of emergency data.
- Adds new terms to Georgia law such as ESInet (the statewide 9-1-1 network), GIS data, Next Generation core services, and commonly accepted technical standards.
- Expands the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority's duties to include running a network management center, setting technical standards, and coordinating NG9-1-1 rollout statewide.
- Adds three new seats to the authority's board of directors: the Georgia Technology Authority's director or designee, a cybersecurity expert, and a GIS data 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 meet wireless enhanced 9-1-1 or NG9-1-1 standards to get the authority's approval.
Who it affects
The Georgia Emergency Communications Authority and its board of directors, local governments and counties that run 9-1-1 public safety answering points, telecommunications companies, county and city officials, sheriffs, police and fire chiefs, and the Georgia Technology Authority are all directly affected by this bill's changes.
Why it matters
If enacted, Georgia's 9-1-1 centers would be pushed toward technology that can receive texts, photos, and videos during emergencies, not just phone calls. The expanded authority oversight and new board seats mean more coordinated statewide standards and cybersecurity protections for how 9-1-1 systems are built and run.
Key provisions
- Section 1-1 rewrites Code Section 38-3-181 to add definitions for NG9-1-1, ESInet, GIS data, Next Generation core services, and commonly accepted standards.
- Section 1-2 expands the authority's duties under Code Section 38-3-182 to include operating a network management center, setting technical and GIS standards, and coordinating NG9-1-1 deployment with local, regional, and out-of-state partners.
- Section 1-2 adds three new board members: the Georgia Technology Authority's executive director or designee, a cybersecurity subject matter expert, and a GIS data subject matter expert.
- Section 1-3 names the executive director of the authority as the state 9-1-1 administrator for state and federal law and program purposes.
- Section 2-2 adds an NG9-1-1 definition to Code Section 46-5-122 that matches the one created in Section 1-1.
- Section 2-4 amends Code Section 46-5-127 so that, starting July 1, 2025, new or expanded 9-1-1 systems must meet wireless enhanced 9-1-1 or NG9-1-1 standards before the authority approves them.
- Section 3-1 repeals any conflicting laws.
From the bill
“no existing system shall be expanded to provide wireless enhanced 9-1-1 service or NG9-1-1 service, without written confirmation by the authority that the local plan conforms to the guidelines and procedures”
“The executive director shall be considered the state 9-1-1 administrator for the purposes of relevant state and federal law and program requirements.”
Status timeline
- Effective Date
- Act 65
- House Date Signed by Governor (House)
- House Sent to Governor (House)
- Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Third Read (Senate)
- Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
- Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
Show full history (15 actions)
- Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- House Passed/Adopted (House)
- House Third Readers (House)
- House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Will Wade (R, HD-9)
- Sandy Donatucci (R, HD-105)
- Matt Reeves (R, HD-99)
- Deborah Silcox (R, HD-53)
- Scott Hilton (R, HD-48)
- Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)
- John Albers (R, SD-56)
Votes
- House voteFebruary 28, 2025
163 yea, 0 nay (8 not voting, 9 excused)
- Senate voteMarch 20, 2025
53 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 3 excused)
Topics
- 9-1-1 systems
- emergency communications
- public safety technology
- Georgia Emergency Communications Authority
- local government agencies