(The Center Square) – House Resolution 1243 would have allowed Georgia voters to decide how to fund a Next Generation 911 system, but Senate Democrats voted it down on Thursday, saying Republicans did not reach across the aisle for their votes.
Lawmakers have discussed a statewide Next Generation 911 for several years, but funding has been in question. The system would enable communication between local 911 systems and allow operators to receive text messages. The amended fiscal year 2025 budget included $5.7 million as seed money for the project.
A House study committee recommended creating a permanent funding mechanism by transitioning a local 911 charge to a fund for the Next Generation 911 system.
“Any decisions about how those funds are distributed will come later through enabling legislation,” said Sen. Tim Bearden, R-Carrollton, who presented the bill.
The change requires a constitutional amendment that voters would decide in November. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate. The House passed the resolution unanimously on March 4. The Senate Public Safety Committee gave the bill a favorable recommendation.
Senate Democrats said they were not consulted before the bill was presented on the floor.
“I absolutely support law enforcement. I support 911. I support all that. But until we can find a way to work together in this chamber, I’m going to vote no,” said Sen. Derek Mallow, D-Savannah.
Republicans panned Democrats for their position.
“Public safety isn’t and it should not be a partisan issue,” Bearden said. “If you vote no on this resolution, you are telling your constituents across the state the next time a natural disaster happens, like Hurricane Helene, comes through our state and devastates it, their calls will probably go unanswered.”
“Be a clown if you want to be a clown but don’t be upset when someone calls you a clown,” said Cataula Republican Randy Robertson.
The resolution needed 38 votes to pass, but it failed 31 to 14. It could be reconsidered again before the General Assembly session ends on April 2.