January 29, 2021
Volume 12, Issue 3
Numerous Election Bills Introduced
Since last week’s Legislative Update, around 15 significant election bills have been introduced in the House and Senate. A few bills deal directly with ACCG’s legislative agenda items; many will impose additional responsibilities and costs on counties; some tighten absentee voting requirements while others loosen them; and all will impact Georgia voters in one way or another. 

County officials are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with ACCG’s Election Policy Priority. ACCG asks county officials to remain patient as all these bills get vetted and likely consolidated if they are to start progressing through the legislative process. The association will remain engaged with its Policy Council Elections Subcommittee and will continue to reach out to both legislative chambers and parties as these bills are deliberated. The election discussions have only just begun. 

Please contact Associate Legislative Director Todd Edwards ([email protected]) with any questions or concerns regarding election legislation.  
House Passes Its AFY 21 Budget

The House of Representatives passed its version of the Amended FY 21 Budget on Thursday and transmitted the bill to the Senate. Items of note that were added by the House to the Governor’s Budget Recommendations include:

  • Georgia Bureau of Investigation - $430K for the recruitment of medical examiners for the Crime Labs

  • OneGeorgia Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program - language was added to provide for a grant administrator position and ongoing maintenance of mapping to better assist communities with obtaining grant funds to expand rural broadband. A total of $20 million remained for AFY21

  • Georgia Department of Public Health - $18 million for the modernization of the Public Health Surveillance System to better track COVID-19 cases and vaccinations. An additional $15 million was added to the public health budget for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program.

The Senate began appropriations hearings on the AFY21 budget on Friday and is scheduled to complete hearings on Monday, February 1. ACCG anticipates the amended budget will be completed next week. Once the budget is finalized, an updated version of the full budget summary will be provided. To view the summary of the Governor’s Budget Recommendations, click here.
Click on "This Week's Bills" to review the bills included in this week's Legislative Update.
Access the Legislative Tracking Database for a compilation of all bills ACCG is following. 
More from the Gold Dome
House and Senate Committee Information for 2021-2022 Session

House and Senate Committee memberships have been announced. ACCG encourages county officials to make sure they are aware of the committees on which their respective legislators serve.

Click here to view the various House Committees. Click here to view the various Senate Committees.
Stay Connected and Engaged!
Watch the Virtual Legislative Update Via Zoom

ACCG would like to remind county officials that it has transitioned the Facebook Live Legislative Update to the Virtual Legislative Update now hosted via Zoom. Click here to watch the recap of today's live event.

The Virtual Legislative Update will take place every Friday at 9:00 a.m. Those interested in joining the conversation each week can do so by accessing this link.
Policy Communication Tools

Don't forget about the various communications tools that will help keep you informed and engaged. Click here to read all about them!
ACCG News
News You Can Use - Articles Related to ACCG Policy Issues
Articles covering some of ACCG's major policy issues are found here. Click the hyperlinked title to begin reading.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution - January 28, 2021

Capitol Beat - January 28, 2021

WSB Radio- January 28, 2021

US News - January 27, 2021
Questions? Email the
ACCG Legislative team:

ACCG is YOUR county association. We are here to advance all Georgia county governments. Please feel free to contact a member of the policy team if they can assist in any way.