Back to Georgia

HB578 • 2025

Public utilities; $1.50 increase in monthly 9-1-1 charge assessed by local governments; provide

Public utilities; $1.50 increase in monthly 9-1-1 charge assessed by local governments; provide

Healthcare
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Cheokas, Mike
Last action
2025-02-26
Official status
House Second Readers
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date of this bill is listed as empty in the metadata; therefore, no start date can be confirmed.

HB578: Increasing Monthly Fees for 9-1-1 Emergency Services

This bill increases the monthly charge that local governments assess on phone bills to fund emergency 9-1-1 services by $1.50.

What This Bill Does

  • Increases the standard monthly 9-1-1 service charge assessed by local governments by $1.50.
  • Raises the monthly wireless enhanced 9-1-1 fee assessed by local governments by $1.50.
  • Adds a $1.50 increase to prepaid phone plan charges for emergency services assessed by local governments.
  • Amends laws in Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated regarding these fees.
  • Repeals older laws that conflict with this new pricing structure.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Local governments that collect and manage 9-1-1 funding.
  • Customers who pay monthly landline phone bills subject to the charge.
  • Users of wireless or mobile phones in Georgia.
  • Users of prepaid telephone services.

Terms To Know

9-1-1 system
The emergency telephone number used for police, fire, and medical emergencies.
Wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge
A fee assessed on mobile phone services to support the 9-1-1 system.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The official text does not state when this $1.50 increase will officially begin.
  • The source material does not explain how local governments must spend the extra money collected from these fees.
  • It is unclear if any specific types of phone services are exempted from this new charge.

Bill History

  1. 2025-02-26 Georgia General Assembly

    House Second Readers

Official Summary Text

Public utilities; $1.50 increase in monthly 9-1-1 charge assessed by local governments; provide