February 5, 2021
Volume 12, Issue 4
ACCG Election Policy Position Passes House Committee
Among ACCG’s 2021 election policy priorities is revising the deadline by which counties must receive and/or send absentee ballot applications to better ensure that voters’ absentee ballots will be processed, mailed, completed and returned by the voter by election day. In this regard, House Bill 270 by Rep. Barry Fleming passed the House Special Committee on Election Integrity this week, changing the date by which counties must send absentee ballots from the Friday before an election to 10 days before the election. This will better ensure that voters’ absentee ballots will be counted and help counties in administering elections, particularly during the period that counties are transitioning from advance to in-person voting on election day.   
Election Bill Targets Low-Performing County Election Superintendents

Senate President Pro Tempore Butch Miller introduced Senate Bill 89, legislation aiming to address low-performing county election superintendents, this week. In this bill, the state will offer support, training and other assistance to low-performing superintendents based on criteria to be developed. However, if a superintendent fails to show improvement or adherence to state election laws, the State Election Board may suspend and replace them. 

*Please note that 20 significant election bills were introduced during the past week, with several coming from Senate leadership. To review all of election bills, please click on This Week’s Bills.

Contact Associate Legislative Director Todd Edwards (tedwards@accg.org) with any questions or concerns regarding election legislation.  
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
Cybersecurity Bill with Executive Session and Open Records Considerations Passes House Committee

ACCG is pleased to report that House Bill 134 by Rep. Victor Anderson passed the House Judiciary Committee this week. This legislation allows local governments to discuss matters related to cybersecurity services in executive session; however, no vote in executive session can be binding – a subsequent vote must be taken in an open meeting. Secondly, this bill exempts certain cybersecurity documents from open records. While these two measures may already be allowed, ACCG appreciates the clear statutory authorization provided by this legislation.  

*Note: House Bill 156 by Rep. Don Parsons has also been introduced and provides the same cybersecurity protections for county governments.  
Legislation Introduced to Remove the Petition Process in Authorizing Liquor Package Stores

Currently, in order to authorize the package sale of liquor in a county, at least 35 percent of registered voters must sign a petition; the county must pass an ordinance or resolution; and the issue is then presented to voters as a local referendum. This week, Rep. Mandy Ballenger introduced House Bill 273 which allows counties and cities to opt out of the petition process by simply passing an ordinance or resolution, then having the issue go to voter referendum. ACCG supports this change.      
Senate Proposes to Establish Next Generation 911 Fund, Increase 911 Fee

Sen. John Albers introduced Senate Bill 76 which establishes a Next Generation 911 (NG 911) Fund to assist jurisdictions with hardware and software needs for the implementation of NG 911 in the State of Georgia. Additionally, the bill proposes to increase the current $1.50 fee paid by each telephone subscriber to $2.00. 

ACCG is currently negotiating with the bill's author and the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority to determine the split of the increased revenue between state government and local jurisdictions. The proposed split for increased revenue in the current bill is approximately one-third for local jurisdictions and two-thirds for the state. ACCG is working to share the increased revenue equally between the local jurisdictions and the state. 

The Senate also has a companion bill, SB 84, that would allow certified communications officers (911 operators) to participate in the Peace Officer Annuity and Benefit Fund (POAB). ACCG will continue to actively engage in the negotiation of terms of this legislation.

Any questions regarding SB 76 and SB 84 should be directed to Associate Legislative Director Debra Nesbit (dnesbit@accg.org).
Lodging Facilitator Bill Introduced

Another one of ACCG’s Policy Agenda items was introduced this week. House Bill 317 would require online lodging platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO to collect and remit county and city hotel/motel taxes on short-term rentals (STRs) that are hosted via those platforms. These are taxes currently due from the STR owner but, in many cases, are not being collected. This bill would improve tax collection, reduce the burden on STR owners to collect the tax, and create parity with traditional hotels and motels that are currently collecting hotel/motel taxes.

Please contact Deputy General Counsel Larry Ramsey (lramsey@accg.org) with any questions regarding this proposed legislation.
Lawmakers Seek to Increase Juvenile Court Jurisdiction to Age 18

The increase in jurisdiction for juvenile courts has resurfaced. House Bill 272 proposes to increase the jurisdiction of juvenile court to include youth up to age 18; however, there are no additional resources for the administration of juvenile courts included to assist counties with a potential increased caseload. No additional program resources were identified to handle the increased number of youth requiring Children In Needs of Services (CHINS) programs. The responsibility for handling these cases and the needs of the youth will fall directly on county governments.

Please contact Associate Legislative Director Debra Nesbit (dnesbit@accg.org) with any questions.
Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee Meeting Highlights Rural Broadband Expansion Efforts

During Thursday's Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee meeting, presentations were made highlighting efforts to expand rural broadband. A recording from the meeting can be found here
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- February 4, 2021

Capitol Beat- February 4, 2021

Capitol Beat - February 2, 2021

Georgia Recorder - February 1, 2021

Georgia Health News - January 29, 2021
Questions? Email the
ACCG Legislative team:

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.