Existing law requires the Office of Emergency Services to develop a plan and timeline of target dates for the testing, implementation, and operation of a Next Generation 911 emergency communication system, including text to 911 service, throughout California.

This bill would require the office to provide quarterly reports to the Legislature on the development, implementation, and spending on the Next Generation 911 system, as specified.

Existing law requires the Office of Emergency Services to develop a plan and timeline of target dates for the testing, implementation, and operation of a Next Generation 911 emergency communication system, including text to 911 service, throughout California.

This bill would require the office to provide quarterly reports to the Legislature on the development, implementation, and spending on the Next Generation 911 system, as specified.

Existing law requires the Office of Emergency Services to develop a plan and timeline of target dates for the testing, implementation, and operation of a Next Generation 911 emergency communication system, including text to 911 service, throughout California.

This bill would require the office to provide quarterly reports to the Legislature on the development, implementation, and spending on the Next Generation 911 system, as specified.

The Emergency Telephone Users Surcharge Act generally imposes a surcharge on amounts paid by every person in the state for intrastate telephone communication service and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service that provides access to the 911 and 988 emergency systems. Existing law requires the surcharge to be based on the Office of Emergency Services estimate of the number of access lines to which the surcharge will be applied per month for a calendar year period that it estimates, pursuant to a specified formula, will produce sufficient revenue to fund the current fiscal years 911 and 988 costs. Existing law prohibits the 911 surcharge from exceeding $0.80 per month.

This bill would instead prohibit the charge from exceeding an unspecified amount per month.

Date of Hearing: August 5, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 985

Author:(Strickland) – As Amended Ver:June 10, 2026

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to provide quarterly reports to the Legislature on the development, implementation, and funding of the Next Generation 911 (NextGen 911) system.

Specifically, this bill requires OES to provide quarterly reports to the Legislature, until the NextGen 911 system is fully implemented and the legacy 911 system has been decommissioned, that include: (a) documentation of progress toward, as well as major challenges facing, statewide development and implementation of NextGen 911, (b) information on proposed solutions to identified challenges, such as potential costs and effects on the completion timeline, and (c) recommendations made by the State 911 Advisory Board and actions taken by OES that contradict those recommendations, including justification for such actions.

FISCAL EFFECT:

OES reports costs of approximately $237,000 annually, through the duration of NextGen 911 implementation, for one staff position to manage production of a quarterly report (General Fund). However, OES notes that an additional budget appropriation is not needed beyond any resources allocated to implement the provision of SB 172 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review), Chapter 84, Statutes of 2026, that already requires OES, beginning October 1, 2026, to submit a quarterly report to the Legislature that contains most of the information specified by this bill, as well as additional information such as quarterly expenditures separated by certain categories and the status of public safety answering point transitions.

Regardless, since the primary purpose of this bill is to create a report, this bill qualifies for this committee’s suspense file consistent with committee rules and custom and practice.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author:

This administration made big promises and spent hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, but failed to deliver a functioning, upgraded emergency response system. Instead, many 911 callers faced busy signals or were unable to get through at all. The Fix 911 Act provides transparency and legislative oversight so this never happens again. Accountability is not optional when public safety is at stake.

This bill is supported by various first responder and public safety associations.

1. NextGen 911. NextGen 911 Internet Protocol-based technology sends 911 data from one computer to another and allows callers to share multimedia emergency communications, including text messages, and improved location data with dispatch centers, which can share this data directly with first responders. In 2021, 23 of the state’s dispatch centers began transitioning voice calls from “legacy 911” copper landlines to NextGen 911, with some experiencing difficulties. In early 2025, OES paused the transition of additional dispatch centers to investigate. In November 2025, OES released an updated transition plan, under which the state will switch away from a regional approach to a statewide approach with two statewide network providers – one prime network service provider and one back-up provider.

In February 2026, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released a report on the ongoing implementation of the NextGen 911 system, finding that the project is significantly delayed, the cost estimate for OES’s new approach is unclear, and changing the system will bring tradeoffs, especially related to system redundancy. The LAO recommended the Legislature consider halting the project to allow an independent third-party to evaluate the state’s options and require OES to provide ongoing monthly project updates and quarterly fiscal reports, among other recommendations.

SB 172 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review), Chapter 84, Statutes of 2026, implements some of these LAO recommendations by requiring OES to enter into a contract with the Rand Corporation to perform an independent technical evaluation of the development and implementation of NextGen 911 and produce a final report by May 1, 2027. SB 172 also prohibits OES from issuing a request for proposals or awarding a Next Gen 911 network services contract sooner than 60 days after the final report is complete and OES has provided the Legislature with OES’s response to the report. Lastly, SB 172 requires OES to submit a quarterly report to the Legislature regarding the development, implementation, and funding of the NextGen 911 system until completion of the project. This bill similarly requires OES provide quarterly NextGen 911 reports to the Legislature, comprised of mostly the same information, until the NextGen 911 system is fully implemented and the legacy system has been decommissioned.

1. Related Legislation. AB 1805 (Ransom) requires OES to submit four quarterly reports to the Legislature regarding NextGen 911 development and implementation, among other provisions to enhance state oversight over NextGen 911. AB 1805’s hearing by the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee was canceled at the request of the author.

Analysis Prepared by: Irene Ho / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: July 1, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND CONVEYANCE

Tasha Boerner, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 985

Author:(Strickland) – As Amended Ver:June 10, 2026

SENATE VOTE: 33-0

SUBJECT: 911 emergency system

SUMMARY: Requires the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to provide quarterly reports to the Legislature on the development and implementation of the Next Generation 911 system, as specified. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires the reports to document progress and challenges to develop and implement the Next Generation 911.
2. Requires the report to include information on proposed solutions to the identified challenges, including potential costs, implementation timelines, and progress on implementing the solutions.
3. Requires the report to include recommendations made by the State 911 Advisory Board and any actions taken in response to those recommendations, or decision that contradict those decisions.
4. Requires OES to submit a copy of each quarterly report to the chairpersons of the budget committees of both houses, and the appropriate subcommittees in each house, of the Legislature that consider the state budget, the Assembly and Senate Committees on Emergency Management, the State 911 Advisory Board, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office on or before January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year.
5. Requires OES to continue to submit quarterly reports until Next Generation 911 is fully implemented and legacy 911 has been decommissioned.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the Warren-911 Emergency Assistance Act to require local public agencies to maintain an emergency communication system using “911” as the primary, universal emergency response number and requires OES to coordinate the implementation of 911 systems and support local agencies in the operation and improvement of 911 systems. (Government Code § 53100 et. seq.)
2. Requires Cal OES to develop a plan and timeline of target dates for the testing, implementation, and operation of a Next Generation 911 emergency communication system, including text to 911 service, throughout the State. (Government Code § 53121)
3. Establishes the State 911 Advisory Board, comprised of 11 members appointed by the Governor from specified public safety agencies and emergency communications associations to advise Cal OES on technical and operational standards for the 911 system, funding for the system, and proposed additional 911 projects and studies. (Government Code § 53115.1 and 53115.2).
4. Establishes the Emergency Telephone Users Surcharge Act. (Revenue & Taxation Code § 41001 et. seq.)
5. Imposes a 911 surcharge on each telephone access line. (Revenue and Taxation Code § 41020)
6. Establishes a methodology for determining the 911 surcharge amount and limits the 911 surcharge to no greater than eighty cents ($0.80) per access line per month. (Revenue & Taxation Code 41030)
7. Establishes the State Emergency Telephone Number Account, or SETNA. (Revenue and Taxation Code § 41135)

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, “Cal OES estimates ongoing costs of $237,000 annually (General Fund) for one position through the duration of NG 9-1-1 implementation to manage accelerated reporting timelines and required updates that are stipulated in this bill.”

COMMENTS:

1. Double referral and committee jurisdiction. This bill was first referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. Accordingly, this analysis will primarily focus on issues related to the Communications & Conveyance Committee jurisdiction such as surcharges imposed on telephone access lines and associated considerations.
2. Author’s Statement. “Emergency response is a core function of government, and 911 is the lifeline that connects the public to those critical emergency services. Californians should never have to wonder whether the system will work if they find themselves in a life-or-death situation. This administration made big promises and spent hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, but failed to deliver a functioning, upgraded emergency response system. Instead, many 911 callers faced busy signals or were unable to get through at all. The Fix 911 Act provides transparency and legislative oversight so this never happens again. Accountability is not optional when public safety is at stake.”
3. 911 System Background. California’s 911 system consists of 447 local dispatch centers (also known as Public Safety Answering Points, or PSAPs) that receive emergency calls from the public and dispatch first responders to assist. Since 2013, OES has been responsible for administering this system. The State 911 Advisory Board, which consists of 11 members, is responsible for advising OES on matters related to the state’s 911 system.
4. Challenges with Transitioning to Next Generation 911. OES is current transitioning the state’s 911 system from “legacy 911” (designed to operate on copper landlines) to Next Generation 911. Next Generation 911 systems use Internet Protocol (IP)‑based technology to send 911 data from one device to another over the Internet. The IP-based technology enables advanced features such as improved location data, multimedia communications (text, photo, voice), and more seamless routing of calls. For several years, the state has been aware of challenges and delays in implementing the system. Most recently in February 2026, the Legislative Analyst Office published a report highlighting the myriad of issues, and tradeoffs to addressing the issue. The Legislature and Governor are working in partnership to implement those recommendations.

In the 2025 Budget Act (Wiener, Chap. 4, Stats. 2025), in order for OES to receive funds from SETNA, it required Cal OES to provide four reports (quarterly) to the Legislature on the progress of the NextGen 911 project. This was later reduced to a two report requirement in trailer budget bill language (Gabriel, Chap. 5, Stats. 2025). The report requirements in these budget bills are substantively similar to the requirements this bill seeks to codify until the NG911 system is implemented and the legacy system is decommissioned.

1. Impact to 911 Surcharges. Funding for the state’s 911 system comes from a monthly surcharge on telephone customers deposited in the State Emergency Telephone Number Account (SETNA). Under existing law, the OES may impose a surcharge up to $0.80 cents per access line. The 911 surcharge rate for calendar year 2026 is $0.41 cents per access line. SETNA is expected to receive $215 million in surcharge revenue in 2026‑27. Based on the LAO’s report of challenges to implantation of Next Generation 911, costs may increase to SETNA in order to get the Next Generation 911 implementation project back on track and fully implemented. However, the report didn’t offer any estimates.
2. Related/similar legislation.
   1. AB 1805 (Ransom, 2026). The bill would provide the California Department of Technology (CDT) with oversight authority over the Next Generation 911 system, requires the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to submit quarterly reports regarding the development and implementation of, and the total and current year funding spent on, the Next Generation 911 systems, and requires the California State Auditor to conduct an audit regarding the implementation of the Next Generation 911 (NG911) system by Cal OES. (Currently in Senate Rules)

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Cal Fire Local 2881
California Association of Highway Patrolmen
Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC)

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Emilio Perez / C. & C. / (916) 319-2637

Date of Hearing: June 15, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Rhodesia Ransom, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 985

Author:(Strickland) – As Amended Ver:June 10, 2026

SENATE VOTE: 33-0

SUBJECT: 911 emergency system

SUMMARY: Requires the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to provide quarterly reports to the Legislature on the development, implementation, and spending on the Next Generation 911 (NG911) system, as specified. Specifically, this bill:

1. Specifies this act as the “Fix 911 Act”
2. Requires Cal OES to provide quarterly reports to the Legislature on the development and implementation of, as well as total and current year funding spent on, the NG911 system in California.
3. Requires these reports to also include:
   1. A documentation of progress and challenges, as specified, related to developing and implementing NG911.
   2. Proposed solutions to any identified challenges, including any associated costs and effects on the implementation timeline
   3. Progress on any chosen solutions.
   4. Recommendations made by the State 911 Advisory Board to the office and any actions taken in response to those recommendations or any decisions made that contradict those recommendations, as specified.
4. Requires Cal OES to submit a copy of each quarterly report to the chairs of the legislative budget committees, appropriate budget subcommittees, the Assembly and Senate Committees on Emergency Management, the State 911 Advisory Board, and to the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO).
5. Requires the quarterly reports be submitted by January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year until the NG911 system is fully implemented and the legacy 911 system is decommissioned.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the Warren-911 Emergency Assistance Act to require local public agencies to maintain an emergency communication system using “911” as the primary, universal emergency response number and requires OES to coordinate the implementation of 911 systems and support local agencies in the operation and improvement of 911 systems. (Government Code § 53100 et. seq.)
2. Requires Cal OES to develop a plan and timeline of target dates for the testing, implementation, and operation of a Next Generation 911 emergency communication system, including text to 911 service, throughout the State. (Government Code § 53121)
3. Establishes the State 911 Advisory Board, comprised of 11 members appointed by the Governor from specified public safety agencies and emergency communications associations to advise Cal OES on technical and operational standards for the 911 system, funding for the system, and proposed additional 911 projects and studies. (Government Code § 53115.1 -.2)

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, “Cal OES estimates ongoing costs of $237,000 annually (General Fund) for one position through the duration of NG 9-1-1 implementation to manage accelerated reporting timelines and required updates that are stipulated in this bill.”

COMMENTS:

Author’s Statement: “Emergency response is a core function of government, and 911 is the lifeline that connects the public to those critical emergency services. Californians should never have to wonder whether the system will work if they find themselves in a life-or-death situation. This administration made big promises and spent hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, but failed to deliver a functioning, upgraded emergency response system. Instead, many 911 callers faced busy signals or were unable to get through at all. The Fix 911 Act provides transparency and legislative oversight so this never happens again. Accountability is not optional when public safety is at stake.”

Equity Statement: “By enabling oversight of the NextGen 911 project, SB 985 takes a critical step toward ensuring that all Californians have access to lifesaving emergency services. That includes the state’s most vulnerable populations, such as those who are the victim of a violent crime or suffer a physical or mental health crisis. The prolonged delays and system disruptions that have resulted from the project thus far put these groups at risk.

Additionally, delaying integration of modern technological capabilities like texting and video calls disproportionately impacts individuals who struggle with voice-based phone calls, such as people who have a hearing impairment, a speech-related disability, or limited English proficiency. SB 985 supports more equitable access to 911 services by facilitating accountability and transparency of the system’s modernization project.”

Background: The state’s 911 system consists of 447 local dispatch centers (also known as Public Safety Answering Points, or PSAPs) that receive emergency calls from the public and dispatch first responders to assist. Since 2013, OES has been responsible for administering this system. The State 911 Advisory Board, which consists of 11 members, is responsible for advising OES on matters related to the state’s 911 system. Funding for the state’s 911 system comes from a monthly surcharge on telephone customers deposited in the State Emergency Telephone Number Account (SETNA). The 911 surcharge rate for calendar year 2026 is 41 cents. SETNA is expected to receive $215 million in surcharge revenue in 2026‑27.

Transitioning From Legacy 911 to Next Generation 911: OES is transitioning the state from “legacy 911” (designed to operate on copper landlines) to Next Generation 911. Next Generation 911 systems use Internet Protocol (IP)‑based technology to send 911 data from one computer to another over the Internet. This technology allows 911 callers to share multimedia emergency communications (voice, video, photos, and text) and improved location data with dispatch centers. It also allows dispatchers to share this data directly with first responders. Additionally, Next Generation 911 systems can be used to automatically re‑route 911 calls to other dispatch centers, which can help with high call volumes during natural disasters, large emergencies, or major events; or if one or more dispatch centers stop operating.

Original Next Generation 911 Regional Plan: California’s approach originally involved dividing the state into four regions with a single statewide vendor serving as a back‑up. These four regions are each served by a regional network service provider (or regional vendor) that is responsible for providing services to connect every dispatch center within their assigned region. The prime network service provider (or statewide vendor) is responsible for providing back‑up services connecting all 447 dispatch centers statewide. The central purpose of this design is to ensure the system can survive failure. It does so by providing back‑ups for network and core services (the software and databases needed to route emergency communications on the network) within each region and statewide, and by containing outages within a single area. The plan also required the regional and statewide networks to be interoperable without sharing any infrastructure. According to OES, Next Generation 911 network infrastructure “has been installed across the state and is now used to deliver both location services (911 caller location) and text‑to‑911” at all state dispatch centers.

Between July 2019 and August 2025, Next Generation 911 system development costs in accordance with the regional approach totaled $456 million. The total cost to simultaneously operate legacy 911 during these same years was $148 million. Additionally, the state provided support to dispatch centers totaling $253 million.

Delays and Issues: The COVID‑19 pandemic delayed the deployment of Next Generation 911. In addition, starting in 2021, 23 of the state’s dispatch centers began transitioning voice calls from legacy 911 to Next Generation 911 with some experiencing difficulties. Specifically, some of these early adopters, such as Tuolumne Couty, reported experiencing call routing problems, outages, and dropped calls. In early 2025, OES paused the transition of additional dispatch centers in order to investigate. It found four main concerns: (1) Dispatch centers did not have a clear support process when it was necessary to report a trouble ticket; (2) Complexities of the network and interdependencies between the service providers created failure points; (3) The regional approach created a situation where both the technical and operational design were significantly adjusted from industry‑standard practices, introducing fragility and risk; and (4) Call handling procedures in the hybrid legacy/Next Generation 911 configuration generated additional work for dispatch center staff.

New Next Generation 911 Transition Plan: In November 2025, OES released an updated 2025 Next Generation 9‑1‑1 Transition Plan. Under the updated transition plan, the state will switch from the regional approach to a statewide approach with two statewide network providers—one prime network service provider and a back‑up. OES states that the switch to the statewide approach will eliminate the problematic interfaces and complexity while preserving system resiliency. It further notes that the statewide approach comports with Next Generation 911 system standards established by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and that it aligns with the “proven network architecture” used by other states.

OES, in February 2026, indicated that it would deploy statewide Next Generation 911 services in three phases:

Phase One. In February 2026, OES reports it will execute an interim contract to move the dispatch centers that are currently using regional Next Generation 911 networks for voice calls to a statewide provider within 90 days. After these dispatch centers have been migrated, OES will focus on deploying Next Generation 911 services to the Los Angeles area, to help prepare for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games. In addition to these priorities, up to 20 other dispatch centers (those in most urgent need) will also be moved onto the statewide network. As a final part of phase one, in the fall of 2026, OES (in partnership with CDT) will establish long‑term contracts with its statewide Next Generation 911 vendor. As part of this procurement process, OES will “require the statewide provider to propose and demonstrate the ability to reach an availability level of 99.999% or better, and the ability to utilize multiple data centers, distribution networks, and aggregation sites.”

Phase Two. During phase two (late 2026), OES will transition all dispatch centers to the new, long‑term, primary statewide network vendor. Transitional elements will be used. This will, among other things, allow dispatch centers to move to the Next Generation 911 network individually. (OES notes that under the previous approach, dispatch centers that transfer calls amongst each other had to migrate together, in a group.)

Phase Three. The final phase of the implementation plan involves decommissioning the legacy 911 system with a target date of 2030.

LAO Report: In February 2026, the Legislative Analyst’s Office released a report on the NG911 System. That report asserts the following:

1. The NG911 project is significantly delayed and the cost estimate for the new approach is unclear.
2. Changing the system will bring tradeoffs, especially those related to system redundancy.
3. There are several key questions left unanswered, including:
4. What Is the Nature and Scope of the Problem? For example, have the regional networks experienced systematic technical failures or are the problems a reflection of management and coordination challenges?
5. Will New Plan Solve the Problem? What evidence is there showing that the transition to a statewide approach will solve the problems identified by OES? Is there enough redundancy in the new approach?
6. What Other Options Were Considered? Does the state need to transition to a statewide approach to solve these problems, or can they be solved within the regional approach as it currently exists? What other options have been explored?
7. How Do the Options Compare? How do different options compare on parameters such as cost, effectiveness of addressing the problems encountered to date, and length of time to decommission the legacy 911 system?

The LAO recommends the Legislature:

1. Direct OES to pause implementation of them statewide approach until it can provide answers to the key questions.
2. Consider halting the project to allow an independent third-party to evaluate the state’s options.
3. Require CAL OES to provide ongoing monthly project updates and quarterly fiscal reports.
4. Consider implementing a new governance structure to provide greater ongoing oversight of the 911 system.

Prior Reporting Requirements: The 2025 Budget Act (Wiener, Chap. 4, Stats. 2025), in order for OES to receive funds from SETNA, required Cal OES to provide four reports (quarterly) to the Legislature on the progress of the NextGen 911 project. This was later reduced to a two report requirement in trailer budget bill language (Gabriel, Chap. 5, Stats. 2025). The report requirements in these budget bills are substantively similar to the requirements this bill seeks to codify until the NG911 system is implemented and the legacy system is decommissioned.

Double Referral: Should this bill be approved, it will be referred to the Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance.

Related Legislation:

AB 1805 (Ransom, 2026). This bill would provide the California Department of Technology (CDT) with oversight authority over the Next Generation 911 system, requires the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to submit quarterly reports regarding the development and implementation of, and the total and current year funding spent on, the Next Generation 911 systems, and requires the California State Auditor to conduct an audit regarding the implementation of the Next Generation 911 (NG911) system by Cal OES. (Currently in Senate Rules)

Arguments in Support: According to the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, “The transition to NG911 has been underway since around 2019 with the goal of creating a more resilient, interoperable statewide network. However, the rollout has faced delays and technical challenges, and the state is now working toward a revised approach with full implementation expected closer to 2030. SB 985 requires quarterly reporting to the Legislature on NG911 progress, spending, and challenges. This helps ensure the system is implemented efficiently and actually meets field needs. CHP and other stakeholders that rely on this system will benefit from clearer timelines and oversight. For these reasons we are proud to support SB 985…”

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Cal Fire Local 2881
California Association of Highway Patrolmen
California Chapter National Emergency Number Association (CALNENA)
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA)
Riverside County Sheriff's Office
The California Baptist Capitol Ministry
United EMS Workers, Afscme Local 4911

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Ryan Fleming / E.M. / (916) 319-3802

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: SB 985

Author: Strickland (R) and Seyarto (R), et al.

Amended: 3/23/26

Vote: 21

SENATE ENERGY, U. & C. COMMITTEE: 15-0, 3/17/26

AYES: Allen, Ochoa Bogh, Archuleta, Arreguín, Becker, Dahle, Gonzalez, Hurtado, McNerney, Reyes, Richardson, Rubio, Stern, Strickland, Wahab

NO VOTE RECORDED: Caballero, Grove

SENATE EMERGENCY MGT. COMMITTEE: 9-0, 4/14/26

AYES: Stern, Seyarto, Allen, Ashby, Blakespear, Dahle, Grayson, Pérez, Rubio

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/14/26

AYES: Cervantes, Seyarto, Cabaldon, Dahle, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab

SUBJECT: 911 emergency system

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill requires the Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to submit specified reports to the Legislature regarding the implementation of California’s Next Generation 911 (NG 911) system.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the Warren 911 Emergency Services Act which specifies that 911 is the primary emergency telephone number for contacting emergency services within the state, and sets requirements for the 911 system.
   
2. Designates Cal OES as the agency responsible for administering the state’s 911 emergency telephone system, including local dispatch centers known as Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), with funds from a 911 customer surcharge on intrastate communication service.
   
3. Establishes the State 911 Advisory Board, comprised of 11 members appointed by the Governor from specified public safety agencies and emergency communications associations to advise Cal OES on technical and operational standards for the 911 system, funding for the system, and proposed additional 911 projects and studies.
4. Requires Cal OES to develop a plan and timeline for the testing, implementation, and operation of a NG 911 system, including text to 911 services.
   

This bill:

1. Directs Cal OES to submit quarterly reports to the Legislature on the development and implementation of a NG 911 system in California and requires the reports to include current year and total spending on the NG 911 system’s development and implementation.
   
2. Specifies that the quarterly reports must also include the following:
   1. Documentation of progress and challenges towards implementing the NG 911 system.
   2. Proposed solutions to identify challenges and the costs associated with potential solutions.
   3. Identified impacts to timelines and expected dates of completion for solutions to address implementation challenges.
3. Requires Cal OES to submit a copy of each quarterly report to the chairs of the legislative budget committees, appropriate budget subcommittees, and to the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), according to specified deadlines.
4. Provides that Cal OES shall submit quarterly reports as specified by this bill until NG 911 has been fully implemented and the legacy 911 system has been retired.

Background

Author’s statement. According to the author, “Emergency response is a core function of government, and 911 is the lifeline that connects the public to those critical emergency services. Californians should never have to wonder whether the system will work if they find themselves in a life-or-death situation. This administration made big promises and spent hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, but failed to deliver a functioning, upgraded emergency response system. Instead, many 911 callers faced busy signals or were unable to get through at all. The Fix 911 Act provides transparency and legislative oversight so this never happens again. Accountability is not optional when public safety is at stake.”

Statewide 911 System. California’s existing 911 system includes 438 PSAPs that receive about 28 million 911 voice calls per year. These calls are dispatched to local first responders including police, ambulance, fire, medical and other emergency service providers. About 80% of all 911 calls are from wireless devices.

The Public Safety Communications Office within Cal OES administers the state 911 system, reviews local PSAPs’ 911 equipment and operations, and reimburses their reasonable costs for planning, implementation, and maintenance of approved 911 systems. The California Chapter of the Emergency Number Association (CALNENA) represents the state’s PSAPs and provides research, planning, and training to support 911 dispatchers and the state 911 system. The State 911 Advisory Board advises Cal OES on operation, funding, and long-range planning for PSAPs and the state 911 system. 

Prior NG 911 implementation problems with a regional approach. SB 1211 (Padilla, Chapter 926, Statutes of 2014), directs Cal OES to develop a plan and timeline for the new system. The implementation of NG 911 is intended to help transition the 911 system to technologies that can better accommodate communications over an internet-based telecommunications system.

Originally, Cal OES designed NG 911 as a regional system that used separate contractor vendors for each of four regions and a statewide backup provider. Each of the regional vendors established connectivity to each PSAP to increase redundancy. If any one vendor were to have an outage, the other vendors could continue providing services statewide.

Between 2021 and 2024, Cal OES began transitioning 23 PSAPs to the NG 911 system. However, in late 2024, Cal OES paused the project as reports emerged identifying major flaws during this transition period, including dropped calls, outages, and the inability to route calls to the correct responding agencies. In several circumstances, affected PSAPs indicated that the NG 911 failures impacted emergency response capabilities at the local level and may have delayed emergency services.

By November 2025, Cal OES presented a Transition Plan to the State 911 Advisory Board and submitted a report to the Legislature on the status and plans for NG 911. In developing the report on the updated plan, Cal OES stated that the regional approach was not viable given the challenges associated with the handling of calls during the transition period, the inability to resolve issues among the vendors; and, the burdens of testing on PSAP staff.

Current implementation planning with a statewide model. In both the Transition Plan and the report to the Legislature, Cal OES proposed a new approach, shifting to a statewide, rather than a regional system, and the use of transitional elements to assist PSAPs as they migrated to the new statewide model. In February 2026, Cal OES released its Implementation Plan describing the next steps forward in implementing this new approach. According to the plan, Cal OES will initially enter into an interim contract to move the 23 partially-transitioned PSAPs to the network provided by the current statewide provider within the next 90 days. During this interim period, Cal OES intends to focus on transitioning the Los Angeles region PSAPs prior to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games, as well as other PSAPs with urgent needs.

After the interim period, Cal OES envisions implementing the new NG 911 approach in the following three phases: (1) establishing long-term contracts with statewide NG 911 providers in 2026; (2) migrating all PSAPs to the statewide provider by June 2030, and (3) decommissioning legacy 911 by July 2030.

Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) report. Concerns about transparency and oversight for NG 911 development persist. In February 2026, the LAO issued a report on the new statewide NG 911 proposal. The report noted a lack of transparency regarding the errors that occurred under the regional system and an absence of sufficient information about concrete steps Cal OES will take to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated in the development of a statewide system.

The LAO’s report recommended the following:

1. Pause the transition to the statewide approach until Cal OES provides sufficient information or seek an independent, third‑party evaluation.
2. Establish quarterly fiscal reports and monthly progress reports to the Legislature.
3. Consider long-term governance options and oversight.

The reporting requirements in this bill are consistent with the quarterly reporting requirements recommended by the LAO.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, Cal OES estimates ongoing costs of $237,000 annually (General Fund) for one position through the duration of NG 9-1-1 implementation to manage accelerated reporting timelines and required updates that are stipulated in this bill.

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/14/26)

CAL FIRE Local 2881
California Association of Highway Patrolmen
California Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Riverside County Sheriff's Office

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/14/26)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: In support of this bill, CALNENA writes that, “From the perspective of those working in 9-1-1 centers every day, our mission is simple: ensuring that every person in California has reliable and immediate access to emergency services when they need it most. When someone dials 9-1-1, the public’s primary concern is that the system is reliable and efficient. It is our responsibility, at both the state and local level, to ensure that expectation is met – every single time. Advancing the Next Generation 9-1-1 project will ensure that when Californians reach out for help, 9-1-1 professionals are prepared, always ready to answer the call and that help is on the way. While not the entire solution,

we believe that more oversight of the implementation of the NG911 system is imperative. [This] measure is a step in the direction of transparency, and for this reason we are happy to support it.”

Prepared by: Cassie Royce / E.M. /

5/16/26 10:00:04

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular Session

SB 985 (Strickland) - 911 emergency system

Bill Summary:

This bill would require the Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to submit specified reports to the Legislature regarding the implementation of California’s Next Generation 911 (NG 911) system.

Fiscal Impact:

• Cal OES estimates ongoing costs of $237,000 annually (General Fund) for one position through the duration of NG 9-1-1 implementation to manage accelerated reporting timelines and required updates that are stipulated in this bill.    

Background:

In February 2026, the LAO issued a report on the new statewide NG 911 proposal. The report noted a lack of transparency regarding the errors that occurred under the regional system and an absence of sufficient information about concrete steps Cal OES will take to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated in the development of a statewide system.

The LAO’s report recommended the following:

1. Pause the transition to the statewide approach until Cal OES provides sufficient information or seek an independent, third‑party evaluation.
2. Establish quarterly fiscal reports and monthly progress reports to the Legislature.
3. Consider long-term governance options and oversight.

The reporting requirements in this bill are consistent with the quarterly reporting requirements recommended by the LAO.

Cal OES response. Cal OES shared its written comments in response to the LAO report with the Committee. Cal OES writes that the statewide approach will resolve the inadequacies and flaws of the regional model because every element of the NG 911 system will be standardized and backed up. That requirement applies to specific technical components and to the overall combination of components. The NG 911 provider will supply not only backup technology configurations within a data center, but also multiple data centers, and multiple distribution networks utilizing separate physical paths to allow for failover, or the transition from one network to another when issues arise.

Using the statewide approach and open procurement, Cal OES states that they will require potential providers to describe their capabilities to protect the state from component failures, distribution failures, and entire service failures. Cal OES will also require providers to demonstrate the use of those capabilities in live NG 911 systems where the capabilities can be verified. Cal OES will require the use of consistent operation and reporting that follow industry-standard support and operations processes. Cal OES indicates that, together, these capabilities will allow the NG 911 providers to deploy solutions that work 99.999% of the time and protect all areas of the state without the risk involved with custom solutions.

Proposed Law:

This bill would:

1. Direct Cal OES to submit quarterly reports to the Legislature on the development and implementation of a NG 911 system in California and require the reports to include current year and total spending on the NG 911 system’s development and implementation.
   
2. Specify that the quarterly reports must also include the following:
   1. Documentation of progress and challenges towards implementing the NG 911 system.
   2. Proposed solutions to identify challenges and the costs associated with potential solutions.
   3. Identified impacts to timelines and expected dates of completion for solutions to address implementation challenges.
3. Require Cal OES to submit a copy of each quarterly report to the chairs of the legislative budget committees, appropriate budget subcommittees, and to the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), according to specified deadlines.
4. Provide that Cal OES shall submit quarterly reports as specified by this bill until NG 911 has been fully implemented and the legacy 911 system has been retired.

Related Legislation:

SB 670 (McGuire, Chapter 412, Statutes of 2019) establishes reporting requirements for telecommunications outages that impact 911 services and directs telecommunications providers to submit specified reports to Cal OES when such outages occur.

SB 1211 directs Cal OES to develop a plan and timeline for the testing, implementation, and operation of the NG 911 system.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Senator Henry Stern

Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: 4/14/2026

SUBJECT:

SUMMARY: Requires the Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to submit specified reports to the Legislature regarding the implementation of California’s Next Generation 911 (NG 911) system.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the Warren 911 Emergency Services Act which specifies that 911 is the primary emergency telephone number for contacting emergency services within the state, and sets requirements for the 911 system.
   
2. Designates Cal OES as the agency responsible for administering the state’s 911 emergency telephone system, including local dispatch centers known as Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), with funds from a 911 customer surcharge on intrastate communication service.
   
3. Establishes the State 911 Advisory Board, comprised of 11 members appointed by the Governor from specified public safety agencies and emergency communications associations to advise Cal OES on technical and operational standards for the 911 system, funding for the system, and proposed additional 911 projects and studies.
4. Requires Cal OES to develop a plan and timeline for the testing, implementation, and operation of an NG 911 system, including text to 911 services.
   

This bill:

1. Directs Cal OES to submit quarterly reports to the Legislature on the development and implementation of a NG 911 system in California and requires the reports to include current year and total spending on the NG 911 system’s development and implementation.
   
2. Specifies that the quarterly reports must also include the following:
   1. Documentation of progress and challenges towards implementing the NG 911 system.
   2. Proposed solutions to identify challenges and the costs associated with potential solutions.
   3. Identified impacts to timelines and expected dates of completion for solutions to address implementation challenges.
3. Requires Cal OES to submit a copy of each quarterly report to the chairs of the legislative budget committees, appropriate budget subcommittees, and to the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), according to specified deadlines.
4. Provides that Cal OES shall submit quarterly reports as specified by this bill until NG 911 has been fully implemented and the legacy 911 system has been retired.

Background

Author’s statement. According to the author, “Emergency response is a core function of government, and 911 is the lifeline that connects the public to those critical emergency services. Californians should never have to wonder whether the system will work if they find themselves in a life-or-death situation. This administration made big promises and spent hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, but failed to deliver a functioning, upgraded emergency response system. Instead, many 911 callers faced busy signals or were unable to get through at all. The Fix 911 Act provides transparency and legislative oversight so this never happens again. Accountability is not optional when public safety is at stake.”

Statewide 911 System. California’s existing 911 system includes 438 PSAPs that receive about 28 million 911 voice calls per year. These calls are dispatched to local first responders including police, ambulance, fire, medical and other emergency service providers. About 80 percent of all 911 calls are from wireless devices.

The Public Safety Communications Office within Cal OES administers the state 911 system, reviews local PSAPs’ 911 equipment and operations, and reimburses their reasonable costs for planning, implementation, and maintenance of approved 911 systems. The California Chapter of the Emergency Number Association (CALNENA) represents the state’s PSAPs and provides research, planning, and training to support 911 dispatchers and the state 911 system. The State 911 Advisory Board advises Cal OES on operation, funding, and long-range planning for PSAPs and the state 911 system. 

Prior NG 911 implementation problems with a regional approach. SB 1211 (Padilla), Chapter 926, Statutes of 2014, directs Cal OES to develop a plan and timeline for the new system. The implementation of NG 911 is intended to help transition the 911 system to technologies that can better accommodate communications over an internet-based telecommunications system. Until this transition occurs, PSAPs continue to use largely outdated legacy systems built on deteriorating hardware.

Originally, Cal OES designed NG 911 as a regional system that used separate contractor vendors for each of four regions and a statewide backup provider. Two physical systems were connected to each PSAP (one primary and one backup). Each of the regional vendors established connectivity to each PSAP to increase redundancy. If any one vendor were to have an outage, the other vendors could continue providing services statewide.

Between 2021 and 2024, Cal OES began transitioning 23 PSAPs to the NG 911 system. However, in late 2024, Cal OES paused the project as reports emerged identifying major flaws during this transition period, including dropped calls, outages, and the inability to route calls to the correct responding agencies. In several circumstances, affected PSAPs indicated that the NG 911 failures impacted emergency response capabilities at the local level and may have delayed emergency services.

By November 2025, Cal OES presented a Transition Plan to the State 911 Advisory Board and submitted a report to the Legislature on the status and plans for NG 911. In developing the report on the updated plan, Cal OES indicated they met with the initial 23 PSAPs that had partially transitioned voice calls, the regional vendors, the California Department of Technology (CDT), and the Advisory Board. Overall, Cal OES stated that the number of vendors involved increased the complexity during the transition and during troubleshooting, and that the regional approach was not viable, given the challenges associated with the handling of calls during the transition period, the ability to resolve issues among the vendors; and, the burdens of testing on PSAP staff.

Current implementation planning with a statewide model. In both the Transition Plan and the report to the Legislature, Cal OES proposed a new approach, shifting to a statewide, rather than a regional system, and the use of transitional elements to assist PSAPs as they migrated to the new statewide model. In February 2026, Cal OES released its Implementation Plan describing the next steps forward in implementing this new approach. According to the plan, Cal OES will initially enter into an interim contract to move the 23 partially-transitioned PSAPs to the network provided by the current statewide provider within the next 90 days. Cal OES also indicates that during this interim period, they intend to focus on transitioning the Los Angeles region PSAPs prior to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games, as well as other PSAPs with urgent needs.

After this interim period, Cal OES envisions implementing the new NG 911 approach in the following three phases: (1) establishing long-term contracts with statewide NG 911 providers, in partnership with CDT; (2) migrating all PSAPs to the statewide provider, and (3) decommissioning legacy 911. Cal OES anticipates awarding the long-term contracts in 2026, resuming the process of transitioning additional PSAPs in June 2027, completing the transition of all PSAPs by June 2030, and taking the legacy system offline by July 2030.

Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) report. Concerns about transparency and oversight for NG 911 development persist. In February 2026, the LAO issued a report on the new statewide NG 911 proposal. The report noted a lack of transparency regarding the errors that occurred under the regional system and an absence of sufficient information about concrete steps Cal OES will take to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated in the development of a statewide system.

The LAO’s report recommended the following:

1. Pause the transition to the statewide approach until Cal OES provides sufficient information or seek an independent, third‑party evaluation.
2. Establish quarterly fiscal reports and monthly progress reports to the Legislature.
3. Consider long-term governance options and oversight.

The reporting requirements in this bill are consistent with the quarterly reporting requirements recommended by the LAO.

Cal OES response. Cal OES shared its written comments in response to the LAO report with the Committee. Cal OES writes that the statewide approach will resolve the inadequacies and flaws of the regional model because every element of the NG 911 system will be standardized and backed up. That requirement applies to specific technical components and to the overall combination of components. The NG 911 provider will supply not only backup technology configurations within a data center, but also multiple data centers, and multiple distribution networks utilizing separate physical paths to allow for failover, or the transition from one network to another when issues arise.

Using the statewide approach and open procurement, Cal OES states that they will require potential providers to describe their capabilities to protect the state from component failures, distribution failures, and entire service failures. Cal OES will also require providers to demonstrate the use of those capabilities in live NG 911 systems where the capabilities can be verified. Cal OES will require the use of consistent operation and reporting that follow industry-standard support and operations processes. Cal OES indicates that, together, these capabilities will allow the NG 911 providers to deploy solutions that work 99.999% of the time and protect all areas of the state without the risk involved with custom solutions.

Prior/Related Legislation

SB 670 (McGuire, Chapter 412, Statutes of 2019) establishes reporting requirements for telecommunications outages that impact 911 services and directs telecommunications providers to submit specified reports to Cal OES when such outages occur.

SB 1211 directs Cal OES to develop a plan and timeline for the testing, implementation, and operation of the NG 911 system.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

SUPPORT:

CALFIRE Local 2881
California Association of Highway Patrolmen
California Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Riverside County Sheriff's Office

OPPOSITION:

None on file

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: In support of this bill, CALNENA writes that, “From the perspective of those working in 9-1-1 centers every day, our mission is simple: ensuring that every person in California has reliable and immediate access to emergency services when they need it most. When someone dials 9-1-1, the public’s primary concern is that the system is reliable and efficient. It is our responsibility, at both the state and local level, to ensure that expectation is met – every single time. Advancing the Next Generation 9-1-1 project will ensure that when Californians reach out for help, 9-1-1 professionals are prepared, always ready to answer the call and that help is on the way. While not the entire solution, we believe that more oversight of the implementation of the NG911 system is imperative. [This] measure is a step in the direction of transparency, and for this reason we are happy to support it.”

DUAL REFERRAL: Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications and Senate Emergency Management Committee

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, UTILITIES AND COMMUNICATIONS

Senator Benjamin Allen, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: 3/17/2026

SUBJECT:

DIGEST: This bill deletes the current 80-cent cap on the surcharge funding the 911 emergency telecommunications system and requires the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to submit specified reports to the Legislature regarding the implementation of California’s Next Generation 911 (NG 911) system.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Authorizes the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to fix rates, establish rules, examine records, issue subpoenas, administer oaths, take testimony, punish for contempt, and prescribe a uniform system of accounts for all public utilities under its jurisdiction. (California Constitution, Article XII, §6)
2. Requires all utility charges for products, commodities, and services to be just and reasonable. Existing law requires every public utility to maintain adequate, efficient, just, and reasonable service, equipment, and facilities, including telephone facilities, to promote health, safety, and comfort. (Public Utilities Code §451)
3. Authorizes the CPUC to supervise and regulate every public utility in the state and do all things necessary and convenient in the exercise of such power. (Public Utilities Code §701)
4. Defines a “public utility” as every common carrier, toll bridge corporation, pipeline corporation, gas corporation, electrical corporation, telephone corporation, telegraph corporation, water corporation, sewer system corporation, and heat corporation providing services or commodities for or to the public. (Public Utilities Code §216)
5. Establishes the State Emergency Telephone Number Account (SETNA) for the purposes of funding the 911 system through a surcharge on all telecommunications access lines in California. Existing law caps the surcharge for 911 at no more than 80 cents per access line, per month. (Revenue and Taxation Code §41030)
6. Requires OES to annually determine the 911 surcharge, which must include the costs that OES expects to incur to plan, test, and implement the NG 911 system in a manner consistent with the NG 911 plan and timeline established by OES. (Revenue and Taxation Code §41030)
7. Establishes the 911 telecommunications system, specifies that 911 is primary emergency telephone number for contacting emergency services within the state, and sets requirements for the 911 system. Existing law designates OES as the agency responsible for the planning and implementation of the 911 system. (Warren 911 Emergency Services Act/ Government Code §53100 et. seq.)
8. Requires every local agency providing emergency services within its jurisdiction to establish a 911 system compliant with the Warren 911 Emergency Services Act by December 31, 1985. (Government Code §53109)
9. Establishes the State 911 Advisory Board, which is comprised of 11 members appointed by the Governor from specified public safety agencies and emergency communications associations. Existing law requires the State 911 Advisory Board to advise OES on technical and operational standards for the 911 system, funding for the system, and proposed additional 911 projects and studies. (Government Code §53115.1 – 53115.2)
10. Requires OES to develop a plan and timeline for the testing, implementation, and operation of an NG 911 system, including text to 911 services. (Government Code §53121)

This bill:

1. Requires OES to submit quarterly reports to the Legislature on the development and implementation of a NG 911 system in California. These reports must also include current year and total spending on the NG 911 system’s development and implementation. This bill specifies that these reports must include the following:
   1. Documentation of progress and challenges towards implementing the NG 911 system.
   2. Proposed solutions to identify challenges and the costs associated with potential solutions.
   3. Identified impacts to timelines and expected dates of completion for solutions to address implementation challenges.
2. Requires OES to submit a copy of each quarterly report to the chairs of the legislative budget committees, appropriate budget subcommittees, and to the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). This bill specifies annual quarterly deadlines for these reports.
3. Requires OES to submit quarterly reports as specified by this bill until NG 911 has been fully implemented and the legacy 911 system has been retired.
4. Deletes the 80-cent cap on the SETNA surcharge funding 911 and NG 911. The bill does not specify a new cap on the monthly access line surcharge funding the 911 system.

Background

California’s 911 system partly relies on CPUC’s tariff authority. Under existing law, the CPUC directs telecommunications providers to submit tariffs providing information on the costs, terms, and conditions of telecommunications services and infrastructure on which the 911 system relies. These tariffs are intended to ensure that the state has transparency on telecommunications networks and costs associated with those networks to effectively administer 911 systems in accordance with federal and state requirements.

Bill modifies the surcharge funding both 911 and NG 911. Both the existing 911 system and the NG 911 development are funded through surcharges paid on each telecommunications access line in the state. These surcharges are deposited into the SETNA. Like many telecommunications surcharge accounts, the SETNA originally received funding on the basis of in-state calls made using basic telephone service. However, as wireless and Voice Over internet Protocol (VOiP) telecommunications overtook traditional telephone service as the primary telecommunications technologies, revenues for the SETNA declined. In 2019, the Budget Act included changes to the SETNA surcharge intended to improve SETNA revenues and ensure that the account received sufficient monies to fund the transition to NG 911. While the legislation established an 80-cent cap on the access line surcharge funding the SETNA, the surcharge is currently set at 41 cents per access line, per month. This bill removes the existing 80-cent cap and instead provides an unspecified cap for the SETNA surcharge. While this bill does not currently specify a cap on the SETNA surcharge, should this bill be subsequently amended to establish a cap below a threshold necessary to carry out necessary 911 activities, this bill may impact 911 funding. This does not appear to be the author’s intent.

Recent reports highlighted concerns with NG 911 implementation. Existing law requires OES to develop a plan for NG 911, including implementation timelines. The implementation of NG 911 is intended to help transition the 911 system to technologies that can better accommodate communications over an internet-based telecommunications system. Until this transition occurs, local 911 public safety answering points (PSAPs) continue to use largely outdated systems based on the copper network. Between 2021 and 2024, OES started transitioning 23 PSAPs to the NG 911 system. Recent reports have highlighted major failures in the implementation of NG 911 at these PSAPs, including dropped calls, outages, and the inability to route calls to the correct responding agencies. In several circumstances, affected PSAPs indicated that the NG 911 failures impacted emergency response capabilities at the local level and may have delayed emergency services. Following these reports, OES modified its NG 911 transition plan in November 2025. OES’s revised plan proposed eliminating a regional NG 911 system that used separate contractors for each region and instead create a single state-wide system with one primary contractor. While OES moved to eliminate the work completed on NG 911 to-date, the revised plan did not clearly identify why the regional approach failed and what changes OES made to ensure that these failures do not recur.

Bill overlaps with potential budget action. The Governor’s proposed budget includes $181.4 million from SETNA to support 911 activities, including the implementation of the new, revised NG 911 statewide transition plan. While this funding request is consistent with the prior year’s funding for 911, concerns regarding transparency and oversight for NG 911 development persist. In February 2026, the LAO issued a report on the Administration’s NG 911 proposal. This report noted an absence of transparency regarding the errors that occurred and an insufficient amount of information about concrete steps taken to ensure that the development of a statewide system does not repeat the mistakes that occurred during the development of the regional system. The LAO’s report recommended the following:

• Pause the transition to the statewide approach until OES provides sufficient information or seek an independent, third‑party evaluation.
• Establish quarterly fiscal reports and monthly progress reports to the Legislature.
• Consider long-term governance options and oversight.

In its report, the LAO stated the following:

In the 2025‑26 Budget Act, the Legislature directed OES to provide two reports on major challenges, solutions, expenditures, and a timeline for the Next Generation 911 system. We recommend that the Legislature continue to direct OES to provide project and expenditure reports to the Legislature, preferably on a monthly (project) and quarterly (expenditures) basis in 2026‑27 and ongoing until legacy 911 has been fully decommissioned. We also recommend that the Legislature direct OES to develop and update (on a quarterly basis) a five‑year cost outlook for legacy 911, supporting dispatch centers, and Next Generation 911.

This bill’s reporting requirements are consistent with the quarterly reporting requirements recommended in the LAO’s report. However, this bill does not include the additional LAO recommendations regarding monthly reporting, governance change options, or a potential third-party evaluation of NG 911 development.

Dual Referral. Should this bill be approved by this committee, it will be re-referred to the Senate Emergency Management Committee.

Prior/Related Legislation

AB 470 (McKinnor) of 2025, would have established a process for a telecommunications carrier of last resort (COLR) to relinquish its regulatory obligation to provide basic telephone service under certain circumstances. The bill would also have allowed company that obtains COLR relief to remove certain tariffs as part of relinquishing its COLR duties. The bill would have exempted 911 and NG 911 tariffs from any de-tariffing relief. The bill was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SB 96 (Committee on Budget, Chapter 54, Statutes of 2019) made various changes to statute to implement the Budget Act, including establishing a capped surcharge of 80 cents to fund 911 services, including the implementation of the NG 911 system.

SB 670 (McGuire, Chapter 412, Statutes of 2019) established reporting requirements for telecommunications outages that impact 911 services. The bill requires telecommunications providers to submit specified reports to OES when such outages occur.

AB 1168 (Mullin, Chapter 237, Statutes of 2019) required every PSAP to deploy a text to 911 service no later than January 1, 2021.

SB 1211 (Padilla, Chapter 926, Statutes of 2014) required OES to develop a plan and timeline for the testing, implementation, and operation of the NG 911 system.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

SUPPORT:

United EMS Workers, AFSCME Local 4911

OPPOSITION:

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the Author:

Emergency response is a core function of government, and 911 is the lifeline that connects the public to those critical emergency services. Californians should never have to wonder whether the system will work if they find themselves in a life-or-death situation. This administration made big promises and spent hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, but failed to deliver a functioning, upgraded emergency response system. Instead, many 911 callers faced busy signals or were unable to get through at all. The Fix 911 Act provides transparency and legislative oversight so this never happens again. Accountability is not optional when public safety is at stake.

-- END --