Bill > HB1702

This bill directs the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR), a state agency that studies and advises on issues affecting local governments, to conduct a comprehensive study of Tennessee's emergency communications system, which is the network used to receive and respond to emergency calls like 911. The study will examine how these systems are currently funded, compare Tennessee's funding to other states, and analyze the various ways emergency communications districts (ECDs), which are local entities responsible for managing emergency communications, are structured and operated, including their pros and cons. It also requires an organizational chart of all ECDs, from their leadership down to public safety answering points (PSAPs), which are the call centers that receive 911 calls. The bill mandates that TACIR explore ways to make ECD operations and finances more consistent and uniform across the state, consider consolidating ECDs, and analyze call sharing, especially in rural areas. Furthermore, the study will investigate the reasons for having multiple ECDs and whether a single, statewide system would be beneficial, as well as analyze the potential benefits of requiring direct dispatch protocols at all PSAPs, meaning emergency responders are directly alerted without an intermediary. Finally, TACIR is to include any other relevant topics and provide recommendations for future legislation to the speakers of the state senate and house of representatives by December 1, 2026.

Government Affairs

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1702&ga=114