ACCG's 2023 Final Legislative Report
The ACCG 2023 Final Legislative Report can be accessed here for your review. This report is designed to serve as your guide to legislation from the 2023 session of the Georgia General Assembly and includes brief summaries, effective dates and the county impact(s) of each bill and resolution. A recording of the Final Virtual Legislative Report hosted on May 12, 2023, can be viewed here.
ACCG Updates its Guidance to Georgia’s Annexation Arbitration Process
As Georgia’s population continues to grow, cities are increasingly considering the annexation of unincorporated areas. In some circumstances, counties may object to annexations through Georgia’s annexation arbitration (or dispute resolution) process. The passage of HB 1461 during the 2022 legislative session made several significant changes to this process. ACCG supported this legislation, which became law on July 1, 2022, and has updated its annexation arbitration guidance for counties reflecting the changes in state law and rules of the Department of Community Affairs.
Please click here for ACCG’s 2023 Annexation Arbitration Guidance.
Please click here for a summary of the changes in the annexation arbitration law.
Timber Harvest Notification Website Webinar
ACCG and the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) will host a Timber Harvest Notification Website webinar on Tuesday, May 23 from 9:00 am – 10:00 am. This website establishes statewide uniformity on the notification process as well as making it easier for counties to be aware and monitor harvest sites within their jurisdiction. On July 1, 2023, the website will become the required format for counties to receive timber harvest notifications. This webinar will provide a demo of the website, an opportunity to hear from counties who are experienced users of the site, an overview of the model ordinance, and plenty of time for Q&A. Click here to register.
ACCG Policy Committee Issues Survey
Your Input Is Needed!
As one session of the Georgia General Assembly ends, preparation for the next begins. ACCG would like to gauge what issues your county is facing that need state or federal assistance, a change to state or federal law, or a modification to state or federal agency rules and regulations. To capture the policy issues affecting your county, we ask that you take the brief survey found here.
Coming Soon: Summer Policy Committee Meetings
Registration for the summer Policy Committee Meetings will open soon. ACCG's seven standing Policy Committees will meet this summer to discuss key issues and to recommend policy objectives for the 2024 ACCG Policy Agenda. The issues will guide the Association's efforts before the Georgia General Assembly, Congress, and federal and state agencies. Dates and locations will be available soon.
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Equity Fund - Rural Workforce Housing Initiative
The OneGeorgia Equity Fund provides financial investments (grants, loans, grant/loan combinations and any other forms of assistance) to finance activities that will assist communities in promoting the economic security, creation, and retention of economic opportunities for residents through the development, and retention of employment opportunities in rural areas of the state. Applications are accepted quarterly on the second Friday of January, April, July, and October.
Participate in the Qualified Law Enforcement Foundation Tax Credit Program
The L.E.S.S. Crimes Act (Senate Bill 361), which passed during the 2022 Georgia legislative session, allows taxpayers to receive a tax credit for a donation made to a qualified law enforcement foundation. The tax credit has a $5,000 maximum limit for individual taxpayers, and a $10,000 limit for those married filing jointly. Law enforcement foundations can use these funds to cover salary supplements, equipment costs, and certain costs of co-responder programs for their designated agency.
In order to take advantage of this program, counties must establish a qualified law enforcement foundation. A qualified law enforcement foundation is a foundation that must be designated to only one law enforcement agency. This means that if your county currently has a sole law enforcement foundation that serves both the sheriff’s office and the county police department together, it will be ineligible. To certify the law enforcement foundation, the foundation must electronically submit a certification form with the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR).
Click here to access the application information. Applications for certification are being accepted on a rolling basis, meaning a law enforcement foundation can submit their application at any time.
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USDOT Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Discretionary Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently announced that the application window for the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Discretionary Grant Program is now open for communities to apply. Funding will help applicants ensure safe streets and roads for all and address the national roadway safety crisis. The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. Monday, July 10. Late applications will not be accepted. More details on the SS4A Grant Program can be found here.
2023 NACo Annual Conference - Register Now
The NACo Annual Conference & Exposition is the only event that brings elected and county officials from across the country together in an effort to help improve residents’ lives and the efficiency of county government. On July 21 - 24, join others as they work to shape NACo's federal policy agenda, learn, network, and share best practices on common issues. The conference will take place in Travis County/ Austin, Texas. Click here to register.
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Questions? Email the
ACCG Legislative team:
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Review the ACCG 2023 Final Legislative Report |
Follow us on social media!
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ACCG is YOUR county association. We are here to advance all 159 Georgia county governments. Please feel free to contact a member of the policy team if they can assist in any way.
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