The proposed bill updates the existing Enhanced 911 Act, renaming it simply as the 911 Act, and makes several significant changes to improve emergency response systems in New Mexico. Key modifications include the renaming of the Enhanced 911 Fund to the 911 Emergency Service Fund and the Enhanced 911 Bond Act to the 911 Bond Act. The bill also increases the 911 emergency surcharge from $0.51 to $1.50 per subscriber access line and expands the surcharge's applications to support next-generation 911 technologies, which will enhance the processing of emergency communications through various formats such as voice, text, and video. Additionally, it establishes the responsibilities of local governing bodies and public safety answering points in maintaining the 911 system and mandates the provision of geographic information system data to support its operation.

Further amendments clarify that local governing bodies and public agencies are not liable for damages related to the 911 system's installation and maintenance, except in cases of intentional acts. The bill also introduces definitions for terms essential to the financial management of the 911 emergency service fund, such as "911 bonds" and "911 revenue." It grants the state board of finance the authority to issue 911 bonds for system improvements, ensuring that these bonds are not general obligations of the state and can only be repaid from pledged revenues. The legislation mandates the continued collection of the 911 surcharge to maintain sufficient funds for annual debt service on outstanding bonds, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 63-9D-1, 63-9D-2, 63-9D-3, 63-9D-4, 63-9D-5, 63-9D-5.1, 63-9D-7, 63-9D-8, 63-9D-8.1, 63-9D-10, 63-9D-11, 63-9D-12, 63-9D-13, 63-9D-14, 63-9D-15, 63-9D-16, 63-9D-17, 63-9D-18, 63-9D-19, 63-9D-20