House approves bill to send millions in 911 fees to communities

Local governments are a step closer to landing millions of dollars under legislation approved Monday in the Georgia House.

House Bill 256 calls for fees on prepaid wireless purchases -- 75 cents for all but the smallest purchases -- be split among the state’s 911 centers based on the population served.

The money raised is projected to be from $9 million to $18 million a year. That money was intended to pay for upgrades to 911 facilities but instead went to the state general fund.

More than $28 million has been diverted to the general fund since 2008.

The bill passed 161-2. It now heads to the Senate.

About the Author

April Hunt

2020 foes squaring off in 2026 Georgia governor’s race

Some of the biggest names from the post-2020 clashes are all in the race to be Georgia’s next governor.

Chris Carr suing Burt Jones over unlimited fundraising edge

The Georgia attorney general's gubernatorial campaign claims a 2021 state law allowing Jones to raise unlimited cash is unfair.

Democrats usually avoid tax cuts. In this governor’s race, they’re all in.

Long a Republican rallying cry, the push for steep reductions is now being echoed by Democrats with their own proposals.

The Latest

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Senate vote rejecting health subsidies sets up Georgia’s 2026 race

OPINION

Republicans grumble about Democrat Jon Ossoff’s spending wins in Congress

What we learned from a Democratic win in an Athens House seat

Featured

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

MARTA chief says new train cars give smooth, quiet ride

Interim CEO Jonathan Hunt told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s editorial board he is focused on project delivery, which he said is key to winning back public trust.

God’s Acre: Former Native American boarding school reveals complex history

A Native American boarding school established by Moravian missionaries in North Georgia in the early 19th century reveals a complicated and compelling history.

Why Midtown’s holiday lights display is a little less vibrant this year

Midtown Bright, the annual winter lights display, was cut back this year.