July 2026

Registration is Now Open for the 2026 Policy Committee Meetings 

Registration for the Summer Policy Committee Meetings is now open. Attend the meeting(s) of your choice to recommend 2027 Policy Priorities for the Association to focus on during the next legislative session. Committee policy recommendations will be considered by the ACCG Policy Council before heading to the full membership for a vote during the 2026 Legislative Leadership Conference.   

Click here for more information. Regularly monitor the ACCG website and your inbox for the latest updates. 

Special Session Recap

The Georgia General Assembly met for a Special Legislative session from June 17-23. Gov. Kemp authorized the session for legislators to conduct redistricting for congressional and legislative districts; address the deadline for removing the QR code in tabulating election results; and include local legislation related to the Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST).  

• The General Assembly did not consider redistricting. 
• The General Assembly passed SB 3EX, extending the QR code removal deadline from July 1, 2026, to January 1, 2028; establishing the Election Equipment Specification and Standards Committee; and requiring a manual hand recount on future elections when the margin of victory is one-half of one percent (0.5%) or less for either or both of the top two state races on the ballot.
• While around 100 county and city local acts were introduced that would have authorized local referendums to collect an LHOST to offset local property taxes, none of them passed, failing to secure the required 2/3 vote in either the House or Senate.  

To read ACCG’s 2026 Legislative Update: Special Session Edition, please click here.    

Coming Soon: 2026 ACCG Fall Mobile Classroom

Get ready to hit the road with ACCG for the 2026 Fall Mobile Classroom: Response Reimagined. Taking place Sept. 21-22, this year’s Mobile Classroom will provide an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at advancements in public safety training and technology through site visits and information sharing from county and state experts. Registration will open at 9 a.m., on Thursday, July 9, and county clerks and/or registrars for ACCG events will need to log into Engagifii to register county officials. Please note: Space is limited to two (2) county elected officials or staff per county.  



Click here to view the event information sheet for more details on space limitations, accommodations, and for an agenda. 

ACCG Salary Guide Notice

The 2027 Salary Guide is under review by outside partners and should be ready to release in the near future. There was no statewide cost-of-living adjustment for 2027 or any major statutory changes other than HB 1020 (2026)(compensation of District Attorneys and positions whose compensation is tied to that of the District Attorney), which will be detailed in this year’s edition. Regularly monitor your emails and the ACCG website for the latest updates.

The following counties have moved up or down a population bracket, so they should be reviewed to determine whether a change in the base salary for certain public officials is required. Up: Dawson County (Coroner Bracket); Habersham County (Standard Bracket); and McIntosh County (Coroner and Standard Bracket). Down: Sumter County (Standard Bracket). 

ACCG's Data Center Resource for Counties

ACCG has compiled a list of resources to help county officials navigate the complexities surrounding data centers. This includes webinar recordings, best practices, and the newly launched Georgia Data Center Ordinance Hub developed by Georgia Tech, among other valuable tools. These resources aim to help counties assess whether data centers are a suitable fit for their communities.

Click here to access the resources.

ACCG Honors Rep. Chas Cannon with a 2026 Legislative Service Award

Annually, the ACCG Governmental Affairs Team travels around the state to honor legislators who have made significant contributions to county government with a Legislative Service Award. ACCG Governmental Affairs Associate Nathan Corbitt presented Rep. Chas Cannon with his award during a recent Colquitt County Commission meeting. Rep. Chas Cannon, who is also the county manager in Colquitt County, was honored for his commitment to Georgia counties throughout the 2026 legislative session by championing key ACCG priorities while remaining responsive to county concerns. He sponsored HB 244, extending county audit deadlines, and HB 964, providing tax exemptions for volunteer fire departments — two 2026 ACCG Policy Priorities. 

A full write-up of the award recipients and legislation can be found here.

Ask!ACCG Chatbot Now Available

ACCG has added a new chatbot, Ask!ACCG, to its website to help members find answers on topics like tax policy, zoning questions, or other issues affecting their county. This is a new tool for us, so we encourage members to try it out, put it through its paces, and share feedback as we continue to refine it.

ACCG Governmental Affairs Team Featured in Maryland Association of Counties' Podcast

ACCG's Kaylon Day and Keenan Rogers joined a live panel at the Conference of Southern County Associations (CSCA) in Williamsburg, Va., alongside county leaders from the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) and the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), discussing Georgia's legislature, permitting process, data centers, and state budget. Catch the full conversation on the Conduit Street Podcast.

Fourth Round of Rural Site Development Grants Now Open



Gov. Kemp recently announced the fourth round of grants from the Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI) within the OneGeorgia Authority, totaling $7.8 million for ten local projects across the state. RSDI grants are awarded for either site improvement or to assist with the costs of seeking Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certification on approved projects critical to economic development in that area of the state.

To learn more about the RSDI, click here. The full press release from Gov. Kemp's office can be accessed here.

GTIB Accepting Applications for Two Loan Programs

The Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) is a grant and low-interest loan program administered by the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA). SRTA currently has two calls for projects open until Friday, Aug. 21. Applications are being accepted for GTIB’s Roadway Program and the Airport Hangar Program, a loan funding opportunity for publicly owned, public use airports for the purpose of constructing airport hangars.

GEFA Launches Loan and Grant Programs

The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority is now accepting applications for two funding programs: the Water Infrastructure Planning Program (WIPP) and the Natural Gas Infrastructure Financing Program. WIPP is a grant program to incentivize planning efforts that protect and conserve Georgia’s water resources, improve water quality, enhance the financial sustainability of public water systems, and support affordable water for Georgians—particularly in small and disadvantaged communities. Applications must be submitted by Monday, Aug. 31. Click here to apply.

The Natural Gas Infrastructure Financing Program will provide low-interest loans to local government borrowers for natural gas system improvements and expansions that enhance system reliability and safety, support economic development, and improve quality of life. Interested applicants must submit a pre-application to be considered for funding by Friday, July 31. Visit the program webpage for additional information.

DCA Workforce Housing Initiative Funding Available

The OneGeorgia Authority has announced $30 million in funding for local governments through its 2027 Workforce Housing Initiative, a competitive grant and loan program to help communities address workforce housing shortages. Construction finance grants and Infrastructure grants are available. The local match percentage is based on population. Communities that adopt development-friendly policies, such as expedited permitting and waiving minimum square-footage standards, are eligible for a reduced local match requirement. Eligible projects may include infrastructure improvements to support new housing developments or construction financing for workforce housing projects.

Applications must demonstrate a documented need for workforce housing. Pre-applications are required at least 30 days before submitting a full application. The first application deadline is Friday, July 10, with additional funding rounds scheduled throughout the year.

View the Notice of Funding Availability here. For additional information, visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Workforce Housing Initiative’s webpage. 

DCA Seeking Census Tract Recommendations for Federal Opportunity Zones

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), in partnership with Guidehouse, is launching a statewide stakeholder engagement effort to inform stakeholders on Georgia’s Opportunity Zones (OZ) 2.0 designation process for Federal Qualified Opportunity Zones. Stakeholders may submit proposed Opportunity Zone census tracts, supporting rationale, and contextual information through the Georgia Opportunity Zone Nomination Portal until Wednesday, July 15, at 5 p.m.

OMB Proposes Major Overhaul of Federal Grant Rules 

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have published a proposed rule rewriting 2 CFR Part 200 — the Uniform Guidance — the largest overhaul of federal grant rules since 2013. This rule governs every federal grant your county receives, covering public safety, transportation, housing, public health, emergency management and more. The public comment period closes July 13, 2026.

The proposed rule's new grant termination authority, expanded pass-through entity obligations, and reclassification of 2 CFR Subtitle A from guidance to binding regulation carry significant legal and fiscal implications for counties. County attorneys should assess the rule's provisions — particularly around award termination, viewpoint-neutrality requirements, and sub-recipient liability — before your county submits comments.



To assist counties, NACo has developed an online resource hub and comprehensive analysis.