HR 1243: Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund; authorize creation - CA

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Discussed in meetings (16)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

1. House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, February 11, 2026

   From 0:21:43 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor described a proposed constitutional amendment authorizing a dedicated Georgia 911 fund whose unused money would remain available. The sponsor said spending would be restricted to expanding, maintaining and operating 911 systems, including next-generation service. The sponsor said the proposal would not increase fees, but envisioned directing the existing $1.50 monthly charge into a statewide fund rather than local funds. The sponsor argued that mobile phones and uneven local collections make statewide funding necessary to provide consistent service. A working group would develop distribution rules, potentially considering population served, call volume and grants for unusual needs. Asked whether implementing legislation would follow, the sponsor said it likely would not come this session because counties, municipalities and 911 operators needed time to participate. Without that legislation, the sponsor said, the fund would receive no revenue. The committee approved a do-pass motion by voice vote, with no opposition heard.

2. House Rules Committee, February 17, 2026

   From 0:55:55 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the proposed constitutional amendment would ask voters to establish a dedicated fund for next-generation 911 services. The sponsor said existing fees paid by Georgians would become state rather than local fees and go into a protected fund to support service statewide. The sponsor said the proposal had been developed with GICA, GMA and ACCG. No questions or decision followed.

3. House floor session, March 4, 2026 (legislative day 27, PM, part 2)

   From 0:54:22 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1931

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HR 1243 would ask voters to authorize a dedicated Georgia Next Generation 911 Fund whose money would remain available across budget years and be used only for 911 centers and modernization. The sponsor proposed directing existing phone and landline fees into a statewide fund without increasing the fee, then distributing money to support service throughout Georgia. The sponsor described next-generation capabilities such as sending emergency-scene video to responders and asked members to involve local emergency personnel in developing the distribution plan. A supporting member said many existing systems were outdated and modernization could save lives. The House adopted the resolution 162–0.

4. House Rules Committee, March 4, 2026

   From 0:27:37 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1929

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed HR 1243 on the supplemental calendar after a motion and second, with no objection. Members did not discuss its substance.

5. Senate Public Safety Committee, March 11, 2026

   From 0:19:16 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said this proposed constitutional amendment would create a state fund restricted to expanding, maintaining and operating 911 systems, including the transition to Next Generation 911. The sponsor said a study committee found Georgia behind in that transition and identified a mismatch between where mobile phones are billed and where users make calls. The sponsor proposed eventually moving the existing $1.50 fee to the state without increasing it. The sponsor emphasized that the fund would receive no money until separate implementing legislation passed, leaving current arrangements unchanged in the meantime. According to the sponsor, that later legislation would follow discussions with cities, counties and emergency call centers about distributing funds, potentially considering population, call volume and special events. The sponsor said acting now would avoid delaying the transition and described video access for first responders as a benefit. The chair supported the proposal. No substantive questions or opposition were raised, and the committee voted unanimously to recommend passage.

6. Senate Rules Committee, March 16, 2026

   From 0:12:17 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HR 1243 would ask voters to approve a constitutionally dedicated fund for expanding, maintaining and operating 911 systems and transitioning to next-generation 911. The sponsor proposed returning the following year with legislation governing distribution after discussions with counties, cities and emergency call center operators. The sponsor argued that a statewide funding pool makes sense because cellphones travel, unlike landlines. Asked about local emergency services' support, the sponsor said they knew of no opposition and said the House had approved the resolution without a dissenting vote. No committee vote followed.

7. Senate Rules Committee, March 18, 2026

   From 0:10:04 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor described HR 1243 as a constitutional amendment to create a dedicated Next Generation 911 fund if voters approve it. The sponsor said the House had passed it unanimously and asked members to keep it moving. The committee later unanimously included the resolution in its ten-measure floor calendar.

8. Senate floor session, March 19, 2026 (legislative day 34)

   From 2:52:49 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Third Read)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the proposed constitutional amendment would create a dedicated Georgia Next Generation 911 Fund for expanding, maintaining and operating 911 systems, including upgrades. The sponsor said money would remain available rather than expire, the current 911 fee would not increase, and later legislation would determine distribution. The sponsor reported a 162-0 House vote and cited North Carolina's emergency-call performance during a hurricane. Several supporters argued the changes would improve emergency response and save lives. One supporter described a family member's emergency calls reaching voicemail. The minority leader and another senator said they supported emergency services but would oppose the resolution because majority leaders had not negotiated with the minority party. They tied their position to earlier disputes over amendments and called for compromise. Supporters argued that public safety should not depend on those negotiations and noted bipartisan committee support. The resolution received 31 votes in favor and 14 against, failing to reach the required two-thirds majority. The sponsor gave notice of seeking reconsideration the next day.

9. Senate floor session, March 20, 2026 (legislative day 35)

   From 0:29:51 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Reconsidered)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: A senator moved to reconsider the Senate's earlier failure to adopt HR 1243. The clerk described a constitutional amendment authorizing creation of the Georgia Next Generation 911 Fund, subject to voter approval. The Senate approved reconsideration 33-10. No further action on the resolution appears in the transcript.

10. Senate Rules Committee, March 30, 2026

    From 1:32:14 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: A member selected HR 1243, and the chair identified it as concerning next-generation 911. No provisions were explained. The committee unanimously approved the calendar containing it.

11. Senate floor session, March 31, 2026 (legislative day 39, part 1)

    From 2:06:06 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Reconsidered Passed/Adopted)

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The clerk described HR 1243 as a proposed constitutional amendment authorizing a Georgia Next Generation 911 Fund, subject to voter approval. The sponsor said it would establish a framework for a newer 911 system to help residents and first responders during emergencies and noted that an earlier vote had fallen short. No questions or opposing speeches followed. The Senate adopted the resolution 49-0, meeting the required two-thirds majority.

• Read aloud: House floor session, February 6, 2026 (legislative day 14), 0:47:23
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 9, 2026 (legislative day 15), 0:36:47
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 12, 2026 (legislative day 18), 1:02:06
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 12, 2026 (legislative day 31), 0:26:22
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 16, 2026 (legislative day 32), 0:31:27

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