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.

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Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced her bid for Georgia governor in May. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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