This legislation requires counties to collect the 9-1-1 surcharge from the phone companies, but send it to the state. Counties that properly file a report with the state would be eligible to receive a portion of the 9-1-1 fees based upon a formula that considers population and the number of jurisdictions that properly filed their report. This bill also gives the Department of Revenue the ability to audit service providers. Additionally it raises the prepaid 911 fee to $1.50 across the board. PLEASE REVIEW THIS BILL AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO dnesbit@accg.org.

This legislation was developed over several years and incorporates many of the recommendations from the Governor’s Commission on 9-1-1 Modernization and Balanced Funding as well as recommendations from the Senate Study Committee. It is estimated the 9-1-1 centers could see as much as a 20 to 25 percent increase in revenues and double the prepaid fees that are collected at the point of sale and remitted to the Department of Revenue.

The Authority is made up of local officials, representatives from the telecommunications industry, and a GEMA representative, for a total of 15 members.

The Authority will provide statewide coordination of 9-1-1 activities in the state; provide planning; oversee compliance by carriers and service providers; audit service providers to ensure all fees are paid; and collect and distribute 9-1-1 fees through a centralized location. ALL 9-1-1 FEES COLLECTED IN A JURISDICTION WILL BE DISBURSED BACK TO THE JURISDICTION FROM WHICH IT CAME. 

The Authority may retain UP TO 3% for administration, for activities such as financial services, auditing and legal services.

The legislation eliminates the cost recovery charges that are billed back to jurisdictions by the wireless providers. It does allow the providers to bill their subscribers for cost recovery, but it will not come out of the 9-1-1fees received for the operation of the 9-1-1 center.

It also sets the 9-1-1 fees for landlines, wireless and prepaid, to $1.50 across the board.

This legislation requires local governments to comply with the Georgia Personal Data Security Act. Because counties maintain electronic and physical copies of personal information, they must provide individuals with notice of any breach of security of the system that houses the personal information as soon as possible after the breach is discovered, but in no case later than 45 days. If the county uses a third party to store the personal information, the third party must notify the county within 72 hours of any data breach, so that the county can meet its notification requirements. If law enforcement determines that notification would impair an ongoing criminal investigation, notification can be delayed. If the county, after investigation and consultation with relevant federal, state or local law enforcement, determines that the breach was not likely to result in identify theft or financial harm to an individual, notification will not be necessary. The county will be required to provide a written certification within 30 days to the attorney general and to maintain a copy of the written certification for at least five years.

This legislation was developed over several years and incorporates many of the recommendations from the Governor’s Commission on 9-1-1 Modernization and Balanced Funding as well as recommendations from the Senate Study Committee. It is estimated the 9-1-1 centers could see as much as a 20 to 25 percent increase in revenues and double the prepaid fees that are collected at the point of sale and remitted to the Department of Revenue.

The Authority is made up of local officials, representatives from the telecommunications industry, and a GEMA representative, for a total of 15 members.

The Authority will provide statewide coordination of 9-1-1 activities in the state; provide planning; oversee compliance by carriers and service providers; audit service providers to ensure all fees are paid; and collect and distribute 9-1-1 fees through a centralized location. ALL 9-1-1 FEES COLLECTED IN A JURISDICTION WILL BE DISBURSED BACK TO THE JURISDICTION FROM WHICH IT CAME. 

The Authority may retain UP TO 3% for administration, for activities such as financial services, auditing and legal services.

The legislation eliminates the cost recovery charges that are billed back to jurisdictions by the wireless providers. It does allow the providers to bill their subscribers for cost recovery, but it will not come out of the 9-1-1fees received for the operation of the 9-1-1 center.

It also sets the 9-1-1 fees for landlines, wireless and prepaid, to $1.50 across the board.