May 2021
ACCG NEWS
ACCG Final 2021 Legislative Update

On April 13, ACCG released a preliminary report prior to the expiration of the Governor's 40-day signing period. On May 10, the signing period came to an end and slight revisions were made to the Final Legislative Update. The ACCG Final 2021 Legislative Update can be accessed here for your review.

Please contact a member of the ACCG policy team should you have any questions regarding specific legislation. 


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.

Save the Date: Summer Policy Committee Meetings

The policy committees will meet during the summer to discuss the issues and recommend policy objectives for the 2022 Georgia General Assembly Session as well as for Congress and federal and state agencies. Meetings will be held over the span of two days in both the northern and central regions of the state. One virtual session will also be offered. Meeting dates can be found below.

Summer Policy Committee Meetings
August 18 – 19 – Hall County
August 25 – 26 – Macon-Bibb County
September 8 – Virtual Meeting

*Location details will be released at a later date.
State News
Transportation Alternatives Program Project Funding Now Available

The Georgia Department of Transportation has published a call for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) project applications for FY 2022 funding. TAP was designed to help local governments pursue non-traditional transportation related activities such as pedestrian facilities, bicycle facilities, and pedestrian streetscaping projects.  Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2021. For more information, click here.  

All questions can be directed to Mr. Jalen Ford at [email protected]. 

Georgia DNR Grant Opportunities

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is pleased to announce the 2021-2022 Funding Cycle for the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP) and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Starting in June, the DNR Grants Staff will conduct a series of webinar-based Educational Workshops covering the highlights of the GA Outdoor Stewardship Program and Recreational Trails Program and offering training on the application process. For more details on the upcoming webinars and DNR programs click here.
Federal News
Congressionally Directed Spending Requests

For the first time in over a decade, Congress has restored the authority to approve congressionally directed spending items. Georgia’s Senators are interested in hearing from local officials about qualifying Georgia projects. Click here for more info. 

U.S. Treasury Releases ARP Guidance 

The U.S. Treasury Department released the Interim Final Rule and accompanying guidance for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  Treasury concurrently opened a portal to facilitate swift and secure payments to over 5,000 direct payees across the country. More information can be found here.

Additional Resources


In preparation for the 2021 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference, July 9–12, NACo members are invited to submit policy resolutions and platform changes to be considered by NACo’s membership at the conference. The NACo resolutions process provides members with the ability to participate in national policy decisions affecting county governments by proposing changes to NACo’s platform or policy resolutions that, if approved, will be added to the platform for one year. Click here to view a resolution template and overview of NACo's policy process. 

All resolutions and platform changes must be submitted electronically (preferably as a Word document) via email to [email protected] by June 4, 2021. More details can be found here.
 
NACo Accepting Applications for Presidential Appointments
Submit Your Application for a Presidential Appointment

The National Association of Counties (NACo) needs Georgia county leaders. NACo First Vice President and DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson recently announced the application period for 2021-2022 Presidential Leadership and Committee Appointments.

Appointments will be considered for the following:
  • Policy Steering Committee chairs and vice chairs and subcommittee chairs and vice chairs
  • Large Urban County Caucus and Rural Action Caucus chairs, vice chairs and members
  • Standing Committee chairs, vice chairs and members
  • Ad Hoc Committee, Task Force and Advisory Board chairs, vice chairs and members
  • At-Large NACo Board Directors
 
Leadership appointments will be announced at the annual business meeting on July 11, 2021. Click here for more details.
Questions? Email the
ACCG Legislative team:
Review the ACCG Final 2021 Legislative Update

Follow us on social media!

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.