(The Center Square) – Upgrading Georgia’s 911 system and creating a long-term funding mechanism for transportation tops the 2026 policy priorities for the Association of the County Commissioners of Georgia.
The state needs to transition to an internet protocol-based network, the association said in its 2026 legislative toolkit released Tuesday.
“Since more than 85% of all 911 calls now originate from wireless devices, there is a need to update the 911 network to an IP-based network,” the association said. “Additionally, those in need of emergency assistance expect 911 to be able to receive voice calls, photos, videos, and text messages, but the current 911 infrastructure is limited.”
Next General 911 would require state funding, the organization said. A House committee led by Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, is studying how to fund the 911 upgrade.
Motor fuel tax revenues are decreasing as vehicles become more fuel-efficient and electric car sales increase, the association said. The state has two programs that assist counties with road and bridge maintenance. But the programs “have not kept pace with construction and inflation costs.”
“The association’s goal is to ensure that any new approach strengthens – not replaces – the state-local partnership,” the association said. “Additionally, ACCG supports the creation of long-term, sustainable transportation funding mechanisms that provide counties with predictable and adequate resources to maintain and improve local road and bridge infrastructure.”
A law that prevents counties from collecting electric franchise fees for the use of public property is the association’s third priority. Cities can collect the fees, according to the association.
“This is a matter of representation and fairness, not competition between cities and counties,” the association said. “Unincorporated residents should not pay for services or fees to jurisdictions where they have no representation.”
The association also said it supports a rule in place since 1964, which would allow candidates to win by a plurality of the votes, instead of requiring 50% plus one of the votes to avoid a runoff. The state should also reimburse counties for special elections.
“As a result, affected counties must allocate funds away from essential, state-required public services to pay for these elections over which they have no control,” the association said. “ACCG supports legislation requiring the state to reimburse counties for all expenses incurred in the preparation for and conduct of special elections to fill a vacancy in any statewide office, the Georgia General Assembly, the offices of U.S. senator or representative, or to approve a statewide referendum.”
