State and Local Governments' Sovereign Immunity Could Be Waived with HB 674

In late November, Gov. Deal’s Court Reform Council issued its final report on several issues relating to the court system. One of the topics covered in that report is sovereign immunity, which generally provides broad protection for the state and local governments from various types of lawsuits – protections that have been significantly expanded in favor of governments via several recent decisions of the Georgia Supreme Court. Following up on the Court Reform Council’s recommendations, HB 674 would waive the immunity of the state, counties, and cities with respect to particular types of lawsuits where monetary damages are not sought. Because this is a significant topic for all counties, please have your county attorneys review HB 674 and provide comments to ACCG Deputy General Counsel Larry Ramsey at [email protected] or (404) 589-7824. 

Greater Percentage of TAVT Revenues will Shift from the State to Local Governments in 2018

On Friday, Jan. 12, 2018, the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) announced the state and local percentage shares of motor vehicle taxes - remaining ad valorem taxes on older vehicles plus Title Ad Valorem Taxes (TAVT) - that will apply beginning in February 2018. Under the TAVT law, local governments as a whole are guaranteed a certain total amount of motor vehicle tax dollars. In order to maintain that amount, DOR annually sets the percentage shares in a manner designed to maintain the guaranteed amount based on the prior year’s total collections. Last year’s local share was 45.6 percent of total collections. Likely as a result of declining vehicle sales in 2017, the 2018 local share will be 51.58 percent. This may or may not result in more total revenue to your county. DOR’s Bulletin can be viewed here.

House Rural Development Council Issues Final Report

The House Rural Development Council, co-chaired by Representatives Terry England and Jay Powell, and including numerous House committee chairs, held 18 meetings across the state in 2017 to learn about the issues impairing the stabilization and growth of rural Georgia. The Council also worked to find solutions to move the entire state forward. While the Council exists for two years, it issued a final report of recommendations to pursue during the 2018 legislative session in the areas of general workforce, broadband, economic development, education and healthcare. Many of the specific recommendations directly impact county governments and will be discussed among ACCG’s 2018 Policy Agenda items. To view the entire report, please click here.

COPS Task Force Final Report

In 2017, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle created a special Senate task force, Compensation for Police and Sheriffs (COPS), to study the issues surrounding law enforcement pay, recruitment and retention. The task force's final report is available for review here.

Joint House and Senate Transportation Committee Meeting - Video Available

The Joint House and Senate Transportation Committee met on Thursday, January 11, 2018. During the meeting, the Georgia Department of Transportation presented its 10 year plan. A video of the committee meeting can be found here. 

Sen. Butch Miller Elected Senate President Pro Tempore

Sen. Butch Miller was recently elected to serve as President Pro Tempore of the Georgia Senate. Click here to read the official announcement.

House and Senate Calendars Set for January

Both chambers have set their legislative calendars through the month of January. The calendar is available in the adjournment resolution.