Legislative - Public Affairs Committee

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Florida NENA Position Statement on Constitutional Amendment 3 

September 21, 2026

Florida NENA has significant concerns regarding Florida Constitutional Amendment 3 and the uncertainty surrounding the potential effects of changes to property taxes on Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs), public safety agencies, and other essential local government services.

Florida’s PSAPs and ECCs serve as the critical first point of contact between the public and emergency services. Our foremost responsibility is to ensure that every person who calls or texts 9-1-1 receives a timely and effective response supported by a reliable, resilient, and sustainable emergency communications system.

Currently, the full fiscal and operational effects of the proposed property-tax changes on Florida’s local governments—and ultimately on PSAPs and ECCs—remain largely unknown. While Florida’s 9-1-1 fee provides an important source of funding for certain eligible 9-1-1 expenses, local governments remain responsible for funding significant portions of emergency communications operations, staffing, facilities, technology, cybersecurity, training, and other public safety needs. The 9-1-1 fee currently provides only ~20% of the funding for our 9-1-1 systems with the remainder of funding relying on property and local taxes.

Changes to property-tax revenues could therefore have consequences beyond any single department or budget. Depending on how local governments respond to changes in available revenue, PSAPs and ECCs could face increased competition for limited public-safety resources and potential impacts to staffing, technology investments, facility improvements, training, equipment replacement, and the implementation and long-term sustainability of Next Generation 9-1-1.

These concerns come at a time when emergency communications centers are being asked to do more, not less. Florida continues its transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 while centers address cybersecurity requirements, emerging technologies, interoperability, workforce challenges, and increasing expectations for the services available to the public and first responders.

Florida NENA believes strongly in responsible stewardship of public funds. We also believe that decisions affecting local government revenues should fully consider the potential consequences for the critical services those revenues support. Public safety and emergency communications must remain adequately funded so that communities can provide the level of service Floridians, and our millions of visitors expect when they need help.

Florida NENA therefore has concerns regarding Constitutional Amendment 3 until its potential fiscal and operational impacts on PSAPs, ECCs, public safety agencies, and essential public infrastructure are better understood.

Florida NENA encourages policymakers, public safety leaders, local governments, and voters to carefully evaluate these potential impacts and ensure that changes to Florida’s property-tax structure do not unintentionally compromise the people, technology, infrastructure, and services that make Florida’s emergency response system possible.

Our priority remains simple: when someone reaches out to 9-1-1, Florida’s emergency communications system must have the people, technology, and resources necessary to answer that call and get help where it is needed.

Legislative update from FL APCO, FL NENA and FL911CA.