Georgia SB 144: Georgia Emergency 9-1-1 Support Authority; create

Bill Text

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S. B. 144
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Senate Bill 144
By: Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Miller of the 49th, Staton of the 18th, Wilkinson of the 50th
and Ginn of the 47th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 4 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia1
Annotated, relating to the emergency telephone number "9-1-1" system, so as to create the2
Georgia Emergency 9-1-1 Support Authority as a body corporate and politic, an3
instrumentality of the state, and a public corporation; to provide for the purposes of the4
authority, which purposes shall include, but not be limited to, ensuring that effective 9-1-15
service is provided to all Georgians in all areas of this state, helping to provide meaningful6
9-1-1 service to the most needy persons in Georgia including the elderly, disabled, and poor,7
assisting the implementation of updated technological resources and enhanced 9-1-1 services8
throughout the State of Georgia, facilitating the adoption of information services for the9
provision of lifesaving information to first responders, auditing the payment of certain 9-1-110
fees by prepaid wireless telephone service providers to increase compliance in collection of11
revenues and provide fairness to those service providers already paying such fees, supporting12
the public interest in providing cost-efficient collection of revenues, and disbursing funds to13
local governments for the operation and improvement of emergency telephone 9-1-114
services; to provide for duties of the authority; to make available on a state-wide basis15
services and resources to local governments for improvement in emergency 9-1-1 systems;16
to attach the Emergency 9-1-1 Support Authority to the Office of Planning and Budget for17
administrative purposes; to provide for tax exempt status of the authority; to provide that18
moneys received by the authority shall be held in trust; to amend Code Section 38-3-20,19
relating to the creation of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, director, and20
director's duties, so as to conform cross-references; to provide for related matters; to provide21
for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.22
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:23
SECTION 1.24
Part 4 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,25
relating to the emergency telephone number "9-1-1" system, is amended by revising26

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paragraphs (2) through (3) of Code Section 46-5-122, relating to definitions for emergency27
telephone number 9-1-1 system provisions, as follows:28
"(2) 'Authority' means the Georgia Emergency 9-1-1 Support Authority. 'Agency' means29
the Georgia Emergency Management Agency established pursuant to Code Section30
38-3-20 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.31
(2.1) 'Call' means any communication, message, signal, or transmission.32
(2.2) 'Center' means the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.33
(2.3) 'Department' means the Department of Community Affairs established pursuant to34
Code Section 50-8-1.35
(3) 'Director' means the director of emergency management appointed pursuant to Code36
Section 38-3-20. Reserved."37
SECTION 2.38
Said part is further amended by repealing Code Section 46-5-123, relating to the creation of39
the "9-1-1" Advisory Committee, selection of members, and filling vacancies, and enacting40
a new Code Section 46-5-123 to read as follows:41
"46-5-123.42
(a)(1) There is established the Georgia Emergency 9-1-1 Support Authority as a body43
corporate and politic, an instrumentality of the state, and a public corporation; and by that44
name, the authority may contract and be contracted with and bring and defend actions.45
(2) The purpose of the authority shall be to establish a representative group able to:46
(A) Assist in the adoption and implementation of updated technological resources and47
enhanced 9-1-1 system services throughout the State of Georgia;48
(B) Facilitate the availability and implementation of data collection programs for the49
voluntary provision of lifesaving information to first responders;50
(C) Disburse funds to local governments for the operation and improvement of51
emergency telephone 9-1-1 system services;52
(D) Audit the payment of 9-1-1 fees by telephone service providers; 53
(E) Administer, collect, audit, and remit prepaid wireless 9-1-1 revenue for the benefit54
of local governments in Georgia;55
(F) Assist in the development and support of regional 9-1-1 system service providers56
throughout this state; and57
(G) Develop, acquire, and distribute services, supplies, and materials, including58
lifesaving equipment and training, for local emergency 9-1-1 system service providers.59
(b) The authority shall consist of 13 members as follows:60
(1) One member who shall be the director of the Georgia Emergency Management61
Agency and who shall serve as the chairperson of the authority;62

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