October 2021
ACCG NEWS
ACCG Membership Approves the 2022 Policy Agenda
 
The ACCG membership approved the 2022 Policy Agenda on Saturday, November 13 during the business session at the County Reconnect Conference. The Policy Agenda comprises the Guiding Principles, Policy Objectives, and Legislative Priorities. Click here to view the Policy Objectives as passed by the membership.

The approved Legislative Priorities are:

  • Expansion of Sales Tax to Include Digital Goods
  • Title Agent Fees and Equipment Costs
  • Funding for Mental Health Reform
  • Single County TSPLOST: Allow for Collection of Tax for Maximum Time Period

The 2022 ACCG Legislative Toolkit that includes the Policy Agenda, as well as detailed briefs on each Legislative Priority, will be available to the membership soon. Please monitor your email within the coming weeks.


It's Time to Update Your County’s ACCG County Legislative Coordinator (CLC)

Annually, ACCG asks counties to update their county’s designated CLC to ensure the most accurate data is reflected in our records. 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 and designate a CLC prior to the legislative session. Click here to see your county’s current CLC. To change or appoint your county’s CLC for 2022, please contact Tottianna Davis at tdavis@accg.org or (404) 522-5022.
State News

Governor Kemp Allocates State ARPA Funds to Address Court Backlog

Governor Brian P. Kemp has allocated up to $110 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to address backlogs of court cases, particularly cases involving serious violent felonies. This ARPA funding can only be used to hire additional staff and acquire temporary workspace and facilities to address the backlog of cases. Priority will be given to eliminating the backlog of serious violent felony cases in superior courts.

Of the $110 million, The Judicial Council of Georgia Ad Hoc Committee on American Rescue Plan Act Funding (“ARPA Committee”) will oversee the application process for $96 million in ARPA grants to authorized trial courts (excluding municipal courts), appellate courts, prosecutors, and related agencies. The remaining $14 million in ARPA funds is allocated to public defenders and will be administered by the Georgia Public Defender Council. 

The ARPA Committee will accept ARPA grant applications from judicial circuits and appellate courts during the following application period: November 10, 2021, to November 30, 2021. To apply, click the here.

House Annexation Study Committee on Annexation and Cityhood Release Final Report

The House of Representatives Study Committee on Annexation and Cityhood released it's final report on Friday, November 19. Click here to review it in its entirety.

Please contact ACCG Deputy Legislative Director Todd Edwards with any questions regarding this issue.

Save the Date: December 13 Webinar on New Timber Harvest Notification Website

Save the date for a webinar hosted by ACCG and the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) on Monday, December 13 from 9:00 am – 10:00 am. This webinar will provide an overview of the newly created Timber Harvest Notification website - a website that will establish state-wide uniformity on the notification process as well as make it easier for counties to be aware of and monitor harvest sites within their jurisdiction. The site will launch statewide early next year and is a result of legislation (HB 897) passed during the 2020 session of the Georgia General Assembly. All counties who have a Timber Harvest Notification Ordinance in place are encouraged to patriciate in this webinar. Webinar registration details will be released soon. 


GDOT Announces LAP Certification

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) recently announced its Local Administered Project (LAP) Certification. As the state and locals look to implement programs funded under the recently passed federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, GDOT is providing information (accessed from the links below) along with GDOT’s Local Administer Project (LAP) resource website.


The LAP certification allows for local communities to effectively partner with GDOT and to have the flexibility to administer and utilize federal transportation funding. LAP certification can allow for transportation projects to be implemented sooner by local communities instead of waiting for GDOT resources to implement a project.
 
The purpose of a LAP certification is to help establish uniform practices for authorizing qualified Local Public Agencies (LPA) to manage certain core activities for Federal-aid funded projects. GDOT assumes the responsibilities of the Secretary of Transportation for all Federal-aid projects. GDOT stewardship includes the responsibility to assure local projects meet or exceed all applicable Federal and State laws, standards and requirements.
Federal News
Registration Now Open for NACo's 2022 Legislative Conference


The 2022 NACo Legislative Conference will take place February 12 - 16 in Washington, DC. Registration is now open! Attendees have the opportunity to engage in policy and educational sessions, interact with federal officials and participate in congressional briefings and meetings. 

Held in conjunction with the NACo Legislative Conference, Georgia county officials are invited to join ACCG on Sunday, February 13 at Arlington National Cemetery for a Public Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Be on the outlook for additional details on this special event. 

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: NACo Analysis /U.S. Department of Transportation Fact Sheet


NACo has provided an analysis of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that breaks down the key provisions impacting counties. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation has released State by State Fact Sheets highlighting benefits of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  

Georgia County Officials Attend Infrastructure Bill Signing at White House

NACo President Larry Johnson (DeKalb County) and NACo Transportation Committee Chairwoman Liz Hausmann (Fulton County) joined other local, state, and federal officials at the White House last to witness the signing of the bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act. The bill includes $550 billion in new investments for water, transportation, power and energy, environmental remediation, public lands, broadband and resilience.
At left: NACo President Larry Johnson (DeKalb County) with Sen. Chuck Schumer.
At right: NACo Transportation Committee Chairwoman Liz Hausmann (Fulton County) and White House Senior Advisor & Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu.
Photos: National Association of Counties
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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.