November 2025

2026 ACCG Legislative Toolkit Now Available

Review to Prepare for the Upcoming Legislative Session

The 2026 Legislative Toolkit is now available on the ACCG website. The Toolkit includes policy briefs on ACCG's Top Three Policy Priorities as well as the association's Guiding Principles and additional Policy Priorities. The Top Three Policy Priorities for 2026 include Implementation of Next Generation 911, Long-Term Transportation Funding Mechanisms, and Electric Franchise Fees: Parity for Unincorporated Areas.

The 2026 Legislative Toolkit is a resource that will aid Georgia's county government officials in becoming more engaged in the state's policymaking process while asserting the collective voice of county commissioners in legislative affairs. County officials are encouraged to share this information with their legislative delegations ahead of the 2026 session.  

Questions regarding any issues outlined in the Toolkit should be directed to a member of the Governmental Affairs Staff.

Update Your County Legislative Coordinator

It is time for counties to update their County Legislative Coordinator (CLC). The CLC’s primary responsibilities are to relay pertinent information about current legislation to county commissioners and county management and to maintain an open line of communication with ACCG to ensure county-specific information is readily available for legislators. ACCG encourages all counties to participate in this network and designate a CLC before the legislative session. To confirm, update, or appoint your county’s CLC, please contact Stephanie Wright at swright@accg.org or 404-522-5022.

Click here to review the 2025 list of CLCs and contact Stephanie to make any necessary changes.

Save the Date: 2026 Capitol Connection Conference

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Capitol Connection Conference. Join the ACCG Governmental Affairs staff, state leaders, and fellow county officials on March 5-6 at The American Hotel in Atlanta/Fulton County. This conference will provide the latest policy updates, insights into trending state issues, and opportunities to connect with your legislative delegation while they are in session. Registration will open soon. Monitor your emails and the ACCG website for the latest updates.

ACCG Welcomes New Governmental Affairs Associate

ACCG is pleased to introduce a new member of the Governmental Affairs Team, Nathan Corbitt, who joins as a Governmental Affairs Associate. Nathan will cover Revenue and Finance policies for the association. Prior to his role at ACCG, Nathan served as a Senior Legal and Policy Analyst in the Georgia State Senate Office of Policy and Legislative Analysis, previously known as the Senate Research Office, and staffed several Senate Study Committees during the interim. During his time there, he had the opportunity to work closely with ACCG's Governmental Affairs Team. This experience allowed him to value the association's thoughtful advocacy and its role in shaping Georgia’s laws and public policy. Please join us in welcoming Nathan to the team.

Governmental Affairs Team Tours the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center

Members of the Governmental Affairs team recently toured the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center, led by LaShandra Little, Fulton County Voter Education and Outreach Manager and Georgia Voter Registration and Election Officials (GAVREO) legislative committee member. This tour provided valuable insight into election operations, preparation, technology, and security protocols. During the tour, the team had the opportunity to witness the Fulton County Board of Elections meeting to certify recent election results. ACCG extends thanks to Fulton County’s External Affairs and Election staff for sharing the important work being done to support free, fair, and secure elections. 

ACCG and GMA Provide a Legislative Outlook at the GARC Annual Meeting

On Thursday, November 6, ACCG’s Director of Governmental Affairs, Todd Edwards, joined the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Executive Director, Larry Hanson, at the 2025 Georgia Association of Regional Commissions’ (GARC) Annual Meeting in Glynn County. Both directors provided an update on their respective organizations, current challenges facing Georgia’s counties and cities, and hot legislative issues expected during the 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly. Those issues included the House’s focus on property tax reform and possible impacts on local governments, the implementation of Next Generation 911, local infrastructure needs, and pending bills waiving local government sovereign immunity, among others.  

Thirty-five Out of 39 Counties Pass FLOST Referendum in November 2025 Election 

The election on November 4, 2025, yielded some valuable insights into the new Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST). Other than the two counties that passed FLOST last March, this was the first election in which a considerable number of FLOST elections took place. This new sales tax, which will be used to reduce property taxes, was on the ballot in 39 counties and passed in 90% of those counties – 35 passed and four failed. The average yes vote was 69%.  

ACCG learned that FLOST was an overwhelming success with voters and that most voters clearly prefer funding local government services with a sales tax over a property tax. As we enter the 2026 session of the General Assembly, counties must be prepared to discuss proposed policies that would cap, reduce, or even eliminate portions of the property tax with their legislators - a priority of House Leadership.  

DOAA Immigration Report Portal Open Until December

Each year, counties are required to submit an immigration report to the Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA). The reporting portal is now open and available for submissions until Wednesday, Dec. 31. The DOAA has many detailed immigration report resources available on their website on how to use and access the portal, submit sections of the report, compliance guidance, FAQs, and more. If you need assistance with submitting the report, please contact DOAA at immhelp@audits.ga.go.

Click here to learn more. 

Stakeholder Meetings Announced for Proposed Updates to State Water Plan

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division, on behalf of the State Water Council, will conduct stakeholder meetings on Nov. 10, 2025, to discuss proposed updates to Section 14 of the State Water Plan. The proposed changes can be found here. Click here for additional information and to access links to stakeholder meetings. Written comments must be submitted by the close of business on Friday, Nov. 14 to veronica.craw@dnr.ga.gov. The words “State Water Plan” should be placed at the top of the first page of comments and in the email subject line.

FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program Applications Open

The Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) has opened the application period for the FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The application window opened on Oct. 1, 2025, and applications are due by Monday, Nov. 17. If you are interested in applying, reach out directly to GEMA/HS to confirm your eligibility and discuss potential project ideas. Detailed information on the application process can be found here.

GEFA Call for Financing Water Projects Open Until December

The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority's (GEFA) 2026 Water Financing Call for Projects period is now open for the following funding sources:

• Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
• Georgia Fund
• Hurricane Helene Resilience Funding

To be eligible for funding, submit a pre-application by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Click here for more information on each fund. To submit pre-applications, access the portal here. For more information, please call 404-584-1000 or email waterresources@gefa.ga.gov. 

Clean Georgia Rivers - Trash Trap Grants Available

Thanks to a generous donation, Georgia Rivers has funding available to provide grants for trash traps with the intent of reducing trash and plastic pollution in waterways. All river basins are eligible except for the Chattahoochee Basin (the donor has funded traps in the Chattahoochee through another program). Additional funding may be available in 2026 and 2027, so requests not funded in 2025 will be held for future consideration. Click here to access the application.

All questions should be directed to Dana Skelton at dana@garivers.org or 706-247-6998. Grants will be funded on a rolling basis while funds last.

Register for NACo's 2026 Legislative Conference

Registration is now open for the 2026 NACo Legislative Conference. The conference will take place February 21- 24 in Washington, D.C. Attendees have the opportunity to engage in policy and educational sessions, interact with federal officials, and participate in congressional briefings and meetings.

Click here for more information.

NACo Seeks Feedback on Federal Shutdown

NACo is seeking member feedback on how the government shutdown is impacting county operations. Your responses are appreciated as NACo continues to call on our federal partners to work in a bipartisan way to keep the federal government fully operational. Click here to provide feedback.

Two NACo Priorities Pass the Senate, Awaiting Action in the House

The United States Senate amended the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026 to include two NACo priorities: the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 3552/S.1843) and the ROAD to Housing Act (S.2651).

For NACo’s analysis of the Second Chance Reauthorization Act, click here. For NACo’s analysis of the ROAD to Housing Act, click here. The NDAA of 2026 will be under consideration when the House returns to regular order.

Reminder: ADA Compliance for Local Government Websites and Mobile Apps

A rule published by the federal Department of Justice, under the authority of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, includes specific requirements for state and local governments about how to ensure that web content and mobile applications (apps) are accessible to people with disabilities.

Government entities with total populations of 50,000 or more have until 2026 to bring their websites/apps into compliance, while government entities with total populations under 50,000 have until 2027. Websites and apps will have to meet the technical requirements of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Version 2.1, Level AA. These requirements will apply regardless of whether the government websites/apps are hosted directly or via third parties.

Various exceptions are included in the Rule, such as for archived/older materials.

Click here for more information and to view the official fact sheet. Any questions should be directed to your county attorney.