Legislation to raise 9-1-1 charges, boost Peace Officers’ Fund clears Georgia House, Senate

A bill authored by State Sen. Randy Robertson to raise 9-1-1 charges and enhance the portion allotted to the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund has received approval from both legislative chambers, according to the Georgia State Senate.

The measure cleared the House on Friday, March 27, with a 165-0 vote, and passed the Senate by a 46-0 margin.

Introduced as SB285 on Wednesday, Feb. 26, during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill was officially titled: ’Emergency Communications Authority; increase in the percentage of all 9-1-1 charges to be remitted to the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund; increase’.

Below is our summary, referencing the official bill text, with clarifications for reader understanding.

This legislation updates Georgia’s emergency communications law by raising the allocation from 9-1-1 charges to the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund to 40.75% and increasing various monthly 9-1-1 charges by $1. Starting July 1, 2025, the charge for telephone and wireless services will be $2.50 monthly, with an equal fee for prepaid transactions. Local governments will collect these charges, which are not applied to telephone services billed to government entities. The act specifies that the funds are not counted as state revenues and that conflicting laws will be repealed.

Support in the Senate included 14 Democrats and 32 Republicans, all voting in favor.

In the House, all 69 Democrats and 96 Republicans supported the bill, with no opposition.

The bill lists Rep. Chuck Martin (Republican-49th) as a co-sponsor.

Robertson, a Republican, has served Georgia’s 29th Senate District since his 2019 election, succeeding Joshua McKoon.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed SB285 into law on Wednesday, May 6.

According to Georgia’s legislative process, a bill originates with a lawmaker—often responding to constituent issues—and is drafted in partnership with the Office of Legislative Counsel. After introduction and assignment to committee, bills undergo discussion and potential revision. Bills voted out of committee reach the floor for debate and a chamber vote. Measures must pass both chambers (and sometimes a conference committee if amended) before being sent to the governor, who has six days during the session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or permit a bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets for 40 days a year, starting the second Monday in January.

Details for this report were sourced from the Georgia State Senate. The original data is available here.