January 23, 2026

Volume 17, Issue 2

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The Georgia General Assembly did not convene for the second week of the legislative session; however, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees held several joint hearings on Governor Kemp’s proposed Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2026 and Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budgets. ACCG has prepared a detailed overview of the Governor’s proposed budgets, highlighting recommended appropriations that are significant to Georgia counties. The overview includes funding for the Georgia Department of Transportation's (GDOT) Local Road Assistance (LRA) Program and the implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1, among others.  

Click here to review ACCG’s budget summary. 

To review Governor Kemp’s AFY 2026 and FY 2027 Budget Report, click here.  

Significant AFY 2026 Budget Highlights 

• $250 million for GDOT’s Local Road Assistance Program for grants to cities and counties. 
• $100 million to GDOT for rehabilitation and replacement of rural bridges. 
• $1.8 billion to GDOT for the extension and bi-directional expansion of I-75 express lanes in Clayton and Henry counties. 
• $20.7 million to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) for a new 40-bed forensic restoration facility at East Central Regional Hospital in Augusta. 

• $50 million for the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) State Housing Trust Fund to establish a homelessness grant program. 
• $35 million to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) for a natural gas pipeline program to improve access and economic development in rural communities. 
• $9.9 million to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) in one-time funding for the buildout of Next Generation 9-1-1. 
• $15 million to the Department of Economic Development for rural site development to assist local governments with site preparation for economic development opportunities. 
• $10.7 million for the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program for parks and trails improvements, and land acquisitions critical to wildlife conservation. 
• No funding for the Secretary of State’s Office to comply with the state-mandated QR code removal from Georgia’s ballots by July 2026. However, $5 million was allocated for a statewide full hand recount of the 2026 Governor and Lt. Governor general races. 

Significant New Bills of Interest to Counties

Though the General Assembly was not in session this week, several bills were introduced late last week that have not yet been reported. 

Increase Per Diem Reimbursement for State Inmates Held in County Jails 

HB 997, sponsored by Rep. Rob Leverett, increases the state daily reimbursement paid by the state to counties for housing inmates from $7.50 per day to $50.00.  It also limits the time the Department of Community Supervision can hold certain inmates in a county facility to 30 days and prohibits certain inmates from serving sentences in a county jail following conviction.   

ACCG Position: Support  

Status: Referred to House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee 

Contact: Todd Edwards  

Repeal Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption  

SB 410, sponsored by Sen. Matt Brass, repeals a sales and use tax exemption. Georgia law currently exempts data center equipment from a portion of state and local sales and use taxes. Upon the effective date of the bill, no new certificates of exemption may be issued.   

ACCG Position: Support   

Status: Referred to the Senate Finance Committee 

Contact: Nathan Corbitt 

Advance Sunset Date of Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption 

SB 408, sponsored by Sen. Nan Orrock, updates the sunset date of the Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption. Georgia law currently exempts data center equipment from a portion of state and local sales and use taxes. The law currently has a sunset date of January 1, 2032. This bill advances the sunset date to January 1, 2027.  

ACCG Position: Support  

Status: Referred to the Senate Finance Committee 

Contact: Nathan Corbitt 

Data Center Moratorium  

HB 1012, sponsored by Rep. Ruwa Romman, forbids any local government from issuing a permit that would authorize the construction of a data center until after March 1, 2027.  

ACCG Position: Evaluating 

Status: Awaiting House Committee Assignment 

Contact: Kaylon Day 

Permit Public Employee Unions  

SB 417, sponsored by Sen. Nikki Merritt, permits public employees to form unions to negotiate wages, hours, benefits, and conditions, repealing current laws discouraging public employee collective bargaining. Public employee strikes remain prohibited.   

ACCG Position: Evaluating 

Status: Awaiting Senate Committee Assignment 

Contact: Kaylon Day 

Homeowner Association Registration Requirement 

SB 406, sponsored by Sen. Matt Brass, mandates that homeowners' associations (HOAs) register annually with the Secretary of State and grants the office permission to investigate complaints and to suspend or revoke registration if they have violated the law. Unregistered HOAs are forbidden from collecting dues or issuing fines, liens, or foreclosures.  

ACCG Position: Evaluating 

Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee  

Contact: Kaylon Day 

Other Bills of Interest

The Daren Lewis Saving Lives Act 

HB 1011, sponsored by Rep. Carl Gillard, requires state, county, and city law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies for conducting vehicular pursuits in residential areas.  These policies must prohibit the initiation or continuation of a pursuit under certain circumstances.    

ACCG Position: Evaluating 

Status: Awaiting House Committee Assignment  

Contact: Todd Edwards   

Protect Prescribed Burning for Forest Management 

HB 983, sponsored by Rep. Leesa Hagan, clarifies that prescribed burning for forest management (silviculture) is exempt from certain burning notice and permit requirements. 

ACCG Position: Evaluating 

Status: Assigned to the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee 

Contact: Joel Truss 

State-wide Water Management Plan 

SR 584, sponsored by Sen. Drew Echols, updates the appointments and term lengths of regional water councils. This is the same resolution as HR 1008.  

ACCG Position: Support 

Status: Awaiting Senate Committee Assignment    

Contact: Joel Truss 

Peace Officers Training: Interaction with Persons with Non-Apparent Disabilities 

SB 419, sponsored by Sen. Donzella James, mandates that peace officers receive training to interact with individuals who have non-apparent disabilities.   

ACCG Position: Evaluating 

Status: Awaiting Senate Committee Assignment 

Contact: Todd Edwards  

Delivery Robot Speed and Safety Update  

HB 986, sponsored by Rep. Todd Jones, updates speed limits and adds a sound warning requirement for autonomous delivery robots operating on sidewalks and roadways. 

ACCG Position: Neutral 

Status: Referred to House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee   

Contact: Keenan Rogers 

Free Entry to All State Parks for Public Holidays 

HB 992, sponsored by Rep. David Wilkerson, allows free admission to state parks and historical sites for public holidays. 

ACCG Position: Evaluating 

Status: Referred to House Game, Fish, and Parks Committee   

Contact: Joel Truss 

Revise Rules of Local Child Fatality Review Committees 

SB 383, sponsored by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, revises the current law establishing and governing local child fatality review committees to add two members, update definitions, and clarify standards for review.  

ACCG Position: Evaluating 

Status: Assigned to Senate Committee on Children and Families 

Contact: Joel Truss 

Create State-Wide Pilot Program for Autism Screening 

SB 402, sponsored by Sen. Blake Tillery, creates a pilot program, subject to appropriations by the General Assembly, in the foster care system to diagnose and report children with autism.  

ACCG Position: Evaluating 

Status: Assigned to Senate Committee on Children and Families   

Contact: Joel Truss 

FY 2026 LMIG Application Deadline Approaching

The deadline for FY 2026 Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) program applications is Feb. 1, 2026. LMIG is a program administered through the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) that provides funding to local governments for local road projects. Grants are processed electronically through GDOT’s GRANTS (LMIG) application system. The GRANTS (LMIG) website provides a link to the LMIG application, an LMIG application tutorial (manual), and the general guidelines. 

Click here to access the GRANTS (LMIG) website and for your GDOT District State Aid Coordinator’s contact information.

How a Bill Becomes a Law



As ACCG embarks on another session on behalf of Georgia’s counties, we want to ensure county officials understand the many phases of Georgia’s lawmaking process. Understanding how a bill becomes a law is not only imperative to being an informed citizen but also to your role as a county official. For a visual representation of the process, click here.

A more detailed overview can be accessed here.

While at the Capitol, the ACCG Governmental Affairs Team had the opportunity to connect with Senators Kim Jackson (left) and Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (right).

2026 ACCG Capitol Connection Conference - Register Today

Registration is now open for the 2026 Capitol Connection Conference. Join us on March 4-5, 2026, at The American Hotel in Fulton County. The Capitol Connection Conference brings together county and state leaders while the legislature is in session – a critical time in the state's lawmaking process. This year's conference takes place before Crossover Day, when bills must pass out of their chamber of origin to remain active. This timing provides an ideal opportunity to engage with lawmakers and ensure local priorities are heard before major policy decisions are made. Contact your county clerk or designated staff member to register.

Click here for more information.

Note: The deadline to secure housing accommodations within the ACCG room block is next Friday, Jan. 30.

ACCG Property and Local Option Sales Tax Reforms Webinar Recording Now Available

ACCG recently hosted an informative webinar on important property and sales tax decisions counties need to make in early 2026. A recording of the webinar, as well as the PowerPoint presentation, can be accessed here.

Legislative Update Live! Replay

Watch the replay of the Legislative Update Live! here. As a reminder, join the ACCG Governmental Affairs team every Friday at 9:00 a.m. during the legislative session. County officials must register for the meeting each week using 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!

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.

'Lawmakers revive Georgia no tax on tips legislation

WSB Atlanta - January 21, 2026

Fate of ballot QR codes in Georgia unclear as deadline for their removal looms

Georgia Recorder - January 21, 2026

Georgia lawmakers introduce bills to end tax exemptions for data centers early, if not entirely

WSB Atlanta - January 20, 2026