March 17, 2023 Volume 14, Issue 10 View as Webpage

Final Days of Session Approaching

With one full week left in the session, critical decisions are being made regarding legislation with significant impact to counties. Please pay particular attention to the "Action Needed" section, as well as the section which lists bills in Senate Rules. ACCG is requesting that county officials reach out to their legislators on those specific legislative items. The Georgia Department of Revenue released guidance on the Property Tax Relief Grant this week. More information can be found in the "More from the Gold Dome" section in this Legislative Update.

Disaster Relief Enabling Act Signed into Law ACCG celebrated a legislative victory this week with the signing of House Bill 311 into law. Governmental Affairs Associate Dante Handel joined Gov. Kemp, First Lady Kemp, legislators, and other key bill stakeholders for the bill signing ceremony on March 16. HB 311 allows local governments the option of providing tax relief to properties damaged or destroyed within a federally declared disaster area. Each local government may independently make the decision whether to provide relief and may tailor the set amount or percentage reduction to its needs. ACCG thanks Rep. Lynn Smith and Sen. Matt Brass for sponsoring this legislation.

This Week's Bills Click here to review the list of this week's bills. Legislative Tracking Database Access the Legislative Tracking Database for a compilation of all bills ACCG is following.  Sign Up to Receive Legislative Updates

ACCG Governmental Affairs Associate Dante Handel (far left )at the bill signing for HB 311.

BILLS IN SENATE RULES

The following bills that ACCG supports are in the Senate Rules Committee. Contact your Senators and ask for their assistance in getting these bills out of Committee and to the Senate floor for a vote. House Bill 31 - Dedication of All Hazardous Waste Trust Fund Fees House Bill 193 - Bid Requirements for Public Works Projects House Bill 254 - Modify Legal Organ Requirements

ACTION NEEDED

Truck Weight Bill Update House Bill 189 was heard this week in the Senate Transportation Committee. Rep. Steven Meeks, the author of the bill, presented a committee substitute that expands the list of commodities that would be allowed to haul at 88,000 lbs. A recap of the meeting can be viewed here. ACCG’s Executive Director Dave Wills provided testimony raising concerns that county roads and bridges were not designed to hold heavier weights. In his remarks, he also stated that we are putting the cart before the horse without a plan to fund the damage that will be done by increasing truck weights.   A vote in the Senate Transportation Committee could occur this Monday. Review ACCG’s bill summary and continue to share concerns with your Senate and House members.

Legal Organ Bill Now in Senate Rules Committee House Bill 254, an 2023 ACCG Policy Objective, passed the Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee on Thursday. It revises the legal organ process to allow online postings to back up print requirements, allows an alternative in counties without a proper legal organ, and increases legal advertisement fees.    Please contact your Senators and ask them to support this bill.

Mental Health Bill Gets First Hearing in Senate Committee On Monday, March 13, House Bill 520, this year's mental health legislation, was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Mental Health Subcommittee. Based on both the supportive and opposing comments on this bill, the Senate Committee members are working on a substitute of the bill. Please reach out to members of the Senate Health and Human Service Committee and encourage them to keep the section 3 of this bill which assists counties with providing mental health services.

Passport Fee Bill Receives First House Hearing On Tuesday, Senate Bill 19 received its first hearing in the House Judiciary Committee, but no vote was taken. This bill reduces the amount of fees that clerks of court and probate judges can keep as personal compensation when their offices process U.S. passport applications.  Please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and ask them to support SB 19.

Attorney General Reimbursement Legislation Receives Hearing in House Committee On Wednesday, March 15, Senate Bill 31 was heard in the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. This bill allows the Attorney General’s Office to request reimbursement from the county for the cost and expenses occurred when the AG elects to take on a case that district attorneys fail to prosecute. ACCG is opposed to this legislation and provided testimony in Committee to share concerns with this bill. The Committee agreed to hold the bill and continue to work on the language. Please reach out to members of House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee and express your opposition to this bill.

Back the Blue Fund Legislation Passes Out of Committee Senate Bill 110 passed out of the House Insurance Committee on Wednesday. A substitute for this bill was created that changes two main components. First, the optional $3.00 contribution would be available when purchasing a motor vehicle registration instead of motor vehicle insurance. Secondly, in the substitute, the State would transfer the money to the Georgia Sheriffs' Association instead of directly to each sheriff. Nonetheless, the substitute did not address the concerns that ACCG has with this bill. We believe that since this funding is not guaranteed, it should not become part of the base salary and benefits, but instead it should be used as a one-time salary supplement or bonus. Please reach out to members of the House Rules Committee and ask them to send this bill back to the House Insurance Committee for us to work on the language.

More from the Gold Dome

Department of Revenue Releases Guidance on Property Tax Relief Grant This week, the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) released guidance on the 2023 Property Tax Relief Grant (PTRG), which was included in the supplemental Fiscal Year 2023 budget signed by Governor Kemp on March 13. The PTRG is a credit against $18,000 worth of assessed value on homesteaded properties, which should save the average taxpayer approximately $500 on their property tax bill.  The link to the Department’s frequently asked questions page on the PTRG may be found here: 2023 Property Tax Relief Grant | Georgia Department of Revenue.

Housing Moratorium and Mobile Home Preemptions Advance Senate Bill 213 passed House committee this week, requiring cities and counties to allow new mobile homes to replace preexisting and nonconforming mobile homes so long as they meet the same zoning, regulation, and other conditions of the existing home.  House Bill 514 passed Senate committee, limiting local governments' zoning and permitting moratoriums on residences and apartments to a maximum of 180 days. Moratoriums can be extended if a local government is responding to an emergency or natural disaster, health or safety concerns, judicial order, or a to complete and in-house or third-party study.

Two Significant Election Bills Advance Two significant election bills passed out of House committee this week. Senate Bill 129 makes several administrative changes to election procedures. Senate Bill 222 prohibits local governments, election offices and employees from accepting any funds or services that support election duties (with few exceptions). Violators will face felony charges, at least one year in jail, and at least a $10,000 fine. It also removes the Secretary of State from the State Election Board.

Study Committee on Service Delivery Strategy Advances to House Rules Senate Resolution 214  passed the House Ways and Means Committee by substitute this week. This resolution creates a Joint Study Committee on Service Delivery Strategy (SDS). The Study Committee is intended to improve the dispute resolution process between counties and cities. This measure was originally a Joint Study Committee on Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) and SDS.

Virtual Legislative Update Replay Watch the replay of this week's Virtual Legislative Update here. As a reminder, join the ACCG Governmental Affairs team every Friday at 9:00 a.m. during the legislative session. This is a recurring event, so county officials can access the meeting each week through this link.

Stay Connected and Engaged!

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. Heavy Trucks Debate: Lives vs. Livelihoods Atlanta Journal-Constitution - March 17, 2023 State Senate Committee Expands Bill Banning Lengthy Housing Moratoriums Capitol Beat - March 16, 2023 OPINION: Mom of Student Killed by Truck Warns Lawmakers on Heavier Loads Atlanta Journal-Constitution - March 15, 2023 Georgia House Plan to Expand Mental Health Services Hits Turbulence in State Senate Georgia Recorder - March 14, 2023 State Senate Gives $1B Tax Rebate Final Passage Capitol Beat - March 14, 2023 Kemp Signs Mid-Year State Budget Capitol Beat - March 13, 2023 Georgia’s Court Backlog is Costing Taxpayers Millions, Chief Justice Tells Lawmakers WRDW - March 10, 2023

Questions? Email the ACCG Governmental Affairs team: Clint Mueller Todd Edwards Kathleen Bowen Gabriel Carter Dante Handel

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

Visit www.accg.org for more legislative news.