Capitol Connection E-Newsletter – August 2020
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Registration Open for 2020 Policy Committee Meetings
Registration is now open for the 2020 Policy Committee Meetings! This year, ACCG will host the policy development meetings through a virtual platform. This change provides a great opportunity to participate and make your voice heard on key issues simply by taking part in an online meeting. Attendees can expect the following:

  • Get updated on what legislation passed or failed this year and the key issues expected next year
  • Hear presentations from subject matter experts
  • Discuss concerns from counties that require legislative action
  • Identify and vote on priority objectives and priorities for consideration by ACCG's Policy Council*

Actions taken by the Georgia General Assembly have a real and direct impact on your county, so your identification of and feedback on these issues is critical to the process. Make sure your county is represented at these meetings, visit accg.org to register today!

ACCG General County Government Committee Update
The General County Government Committee held its first meeting on July 22nd. Two subcommittees were established. The first will examine open meetings and open records issues related to cybersecurity and holding meetings and hearings during emergency situations. The second subcommittee will look at methods by which to enhance Georgia’s elections process. These subcommittees will report back to the General County Government Committee at its second and final 2020 meeting on August 26.

ACCG Webinars on CARES Act Guidance – Register Now!
As the State of Georgia disburses the Phase I allocations of the CARES Act funding to local governments, ACCG continues to receive many questions. To aid counties in maximizing the use of the Phase I allocations, ACCG is providing a webinar for county officials to review some of the important guidance provided by the State and to answer additional questions. The same webinar will be offered three times, so please choose the one that is most convenient for you. Space is limited to 100 people for each webinar, but additional sessions will be added if needed. 

*ACCG encourages each county to have at least one person participate in one of these webinars.

Webinar Schedule:
Governor Brian Kemp Signs COVID-19 Liability Legislation (SB 359)
On August 5, Governor Brian Kemp signed SB 359, legislation addressing COVID-19 liability. One of the provisions of the bill is a rebuttable presumption for assumption of the risk by the claimant if an entity posts specific signage at their point of entry. ACCG encourages you to consult with your county attorney regarding the placement of signage in county facilities. For sample signage with the required language in one-inch Arial font (per the specifications of the legislation), click here. Note that this sample sign must be printed as an 18” x 24” in order to achieve the one-inch requirement as indicated in the legislation.

State Continues to Work on Improvements for the November General Election
The Georgia State Election Board has extended two key provisions that helped counties better address the processing of absentee ballots during the June primary election. On July 1, the Board extended the emergency rule authorizing counties to continue using absentee ballot drop boxes for the November 2020 general election. On August 10, the Board amended its rules to authorize counties to begin scanning absentee ballots on the third Monday prior to the general election. The Secretary of State continues to work on providing county election staff additional virus protection funding, polling pads, training and technical assistance for the general election as well as the development of a statewide Internet portal allowing voters to apply for absentee ballots statewide.  

Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Application Now Open
Pre-applications will be accepted August 1 - October 16 for Conserve Georgia grants and loans through the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program. The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program is a grant and loan program administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and authorized by The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act. Program funds will be dispersed for the purpose of providing stewardship to state parks; state lands and wildlife management areas; to support local parks and trails; and to protect critical conservation lands. Click here to get started.

Georgia Launches State/Local Partnership to Connect Students to the Internet
On July 30, 2020, Governor Brian P. Kemp joined State School Superintendent Richard Woods to announce Georgia will dedicate $6 million to help school districts connect their K-12 students to the internet. Funds will be used to purchase equipment for local school systems to improve connectivity options for students who do not have sufficient internet access at home. Access the full press release here.

Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) Announces Loan Funding Availability in 2020
The Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) is a competitive grant and low-interest loan program available to eligible government units in Georgia. The GTIB program is administered by the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA). Since 2009 GTIB has awarded $151 million in grants and loans to eligible transportation projects throughout the state. 

SRTA is pleased to announce that GTIB will accept applications for up to $10 million in loan funding starting September 1, 2020 through October 23, 2020.  Awards are expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2021.  
 
Applicants will need to complete and submit a loan application and the financial documentation form which can be downloaded at www.srta.ga.gov/gtib. Please submit all applications electronically to [email protected].  Awards are expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2021. Please contact David Cassell, SRTA Strategic Programs Administrator at [email protected] if you have any questions. 

Registration Open for WaterFirst Webinar Series
The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority is offering a free webinar series throughout the month of September that will provide an overview of the WaterFirst Program. The webinar series is for Georgia communities interested in pursuing the WaterFirst designation.

WaterFirst Webinar Session Dates and Topics:
  • September 1: Water Supply and Wastewater Master Planning
  • September 15: Stormwater Management 
  • September 22: Water Conservation and Education 
  • September 29: Watershed Assessment 

Each webinar requires a separate registration. To register, visit gefa.georgia.gov/waterfirst. 
Questions? Email the
ACCG Policy Team:
Register for the 2020 Policy Committee Meeting(s) of your choice
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