February 6, 2026

Volume 17, Issue 4

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The Georgia General Assembly wrapped up the fourth week of its 2026 legislative session with lots of action, particularly in the House, passing the Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2026 Budget. Additionally, the House Blue Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures issued its interim report that will likely add to county taxpayer election costs and a proposed constitutional amendment will create the Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund. The House’s major property tax reform bills, HR 1114 and HB 1116, are undergoing extensive study and revision and have not yet had committee hearings. Click here to view ACCG’s resources on the 2026 Property Tax Reform. The Senate passed SB 382, removing the opt-out provision from HB 581, and the assault on local government building permitting kicked into high gear.     

AFY 2026 Budget Highlights – as Passed the House 

• $850 for the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant (HTRG)
• $802 million cash investment into capital projects overall
• $27 million to begin design and construction of a new Georgia Regional Hospital, adding 200 forensic beds and 100 mental health beds
• $1.7 billion for Interstate 75 express lanes in Clayton and Henry counties
• $200 million for the State Route 316 interchange conversion
• $15 million for airport aid, which has a federal match (Governor’s recommendation: $0)
• $250 million for local transportation infrastructure projects
• $85 million for rural bridge rehab; a $50 million increase from the Governor’s recommendation
• $100 million for local road resurfacing
• $4.8 million for a grant program to establish new rural medical and dental clinics
• $50 million for the state housing trust fund; matching funds for local governments and nonprofits to address homelessness (up to 4-to-1 match) 

A full overview of the changes the House made to the Governor’s budget can be found through the tracking document located here.

House Election Study Committee Issues Final Report and Recommendations         

The House Blue Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures issued its interim report on Monday, Feb. 2. It includes recommendations that could impact county costs despite the General Assembly’s push for property tax reduction, such as adopting pre-printed, hand-marked paper ballots starting with the 2026 General Election. Click here to view the full report.

ACCG Position: Negotiating

Status: Legislation Awaits

Contact: Kaylon Day 

Resolution Introduced to Create the Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund  

HR 1243, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin, proposes a constitutional amendment that authorizes the General Assembly to create the Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund. The General Assembly, through future legislation, may prescribe the dedication and deposit of revenues raised from specified sources into the fund, with monies used exclusively for the expansion, maintenance, and operation of 9-1-1 systems throughout the state, including the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1. Subsequent legislation will have to determine how these funds will be disbursed to 9-1-1 public safety answering points. 

ACCG Position: Neutral  

Status: Referred to House Public Safety & Homeland Security

Contact: Todd Edwards

Mandatory Statewide Homestead Exemption Passes Senate (Removes HB 581 Opt-Out Provision)

SB 382, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, repeals the option for local governments to opt out of the HB 581 floating homestead exemption. The bill allows the Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) to be an option in every county by removing a condition precedent to the call for the FLOST referendum. It also allows FLOST collections from Jan.1 to June 30 to be applied as a rollback in the first year that they are collected.

 ACCG Position: Neutral

Status: Passed Senate; Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means

Contact: Nathan Corbitt

Local Government Permitting Timeline Reform

SB 447, sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon, requires local issuing authorities to publish clear requirements for a completed application. This would require local authorities to accept permit applications and decide to approve or deny them within 45 days. A written explanation of all decisions including approval, denials, and what a ‘complete’ application is required.  

ACCG Position: Negotiating

Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Operations

Contact: Joel Truss

Third Party Inspections & Permitting Timeline Revisions

SB 437, sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon, allows builders to use qualified private professionals for building plan reviews and inspections, and requires counties to accept those reviews. It shortens permit decision timelines from 30 to 10 days and automatically approves permits if counties fail to issue a timely written denial, also for contractors to immediately hire private inspectors once an application is complete for both in-person and “virtual” inspections.

ACCG Position: Negotiating

Status: Referred to Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee

Contact: Joel Truss

ACCG Governmental Affairs Associate Joel Truss expressing concerns for SB 437 in the Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.

Significant Bills of Interest to Counties

Progressing Bills

Ensuring Compensation for Out-of-Network Ambulance Services

SB 462, sponsored by Sen. Shawn Still, requires insurance companies to cover out-of-network ambulance transportation services. Local governments that pay the upfront costs receive either full reimbursement based on a contract with an ambulance provider, or the lesser option of 325% of the Medicaid reimbursement rate or the charges as billed by the ambulance provider.

ACCG Position:  Support

Status: Referred to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee

Contact: Joel Truss

Municipal Elections in Even-Numbered Years Legislation Advances

SB 422, sponsored by Sen. Tim Bearden, requires municipal elections, unless local legislation states otherwise, to occur in even-numbered years to align with state and federal elections. To facilitate this change, current elected officials will get a one-year term extension, except for those in two-year, staggered terms.

ACCG Position: Neutral

Status: Passed Senate Ethics Committee; Pending in Senate Rules

Contact: Kaylon Day

Statewide Rental Registry Legislation Advances

SB 166, sponsored by Sen. Nikki Merritt, authorizes a statewide rental property registry and enhances the monetary penalties allowed for code violations, up to $15,000 on the fifth offense.

ACCG Position: Support

Status: Passed Senate Urban Affairs Committee; Pending in Senate Rules

Contact: Kaylon Day

New Bills

Establish Industrial Use and Data Centers as a Separate Class of Property

SR 668, by Sen. Greg Dolezal, proposes a Constitutional Amendment allowing the General Assembly to establish industrial use property and data centers as a separate class of property for ad valorem purposes. Local governments could then levy unique millage rates on these properties.

ACCG Position: Evaluating

Status: Referred to Senate Finance Committee

Contact: Nathan Corbitt

Authorizes Local Homeowners’ Incentive Adjustment Grants

HB 1156, by Rep. Gary Richardson, authorizes local governments and school systems to establish local grant programs and appropriate funds to support local homeowners' incentive adjustments. A local homeowner's incentive adjustment program reduces the tax burden on qualified homesteads located within participating cities or counties.

ACCG Position: Evaluating

Status: Referred to House Ways and Means Committee

Contact: Nathan Corbitt

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Public Electric Utilities

HB 1176, sponsored by Rep. Chas Cannon, creates a sales and use tax exemption on the sale of tangible personal property sold to any public electric utility. The tangible personal property must be used or consumed in connection with or to facilitate the generation, transmission, distribution, sale, or furnishing of electricity within Georgia. The tax exemption also applies to local sales and use taxes.

ACCG Position: Evaluating

Status: Referred to House Ways and Means Committee

Contact: Nathan Corbitt

Limit Foreign-Owned Rental Prohibition & Corporate Home Ownership

SB 463, sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal, forbids corporations from owning more than 500 single-family homes unless they built the homes themselves. Those already above the cap may keep but not expand their holdings after 2027. The measure also prohibits foreign investment entities from owning single-family rental homes and requires real estate brokers to notify clients of these limits.

ACCG Position: Evaluating

Status: Referred to Senate Economic Development

Contact: Kaylon Day

New Prohibitions on the Storage of Certain Soil Amendments

HB 1182, sponsored by Rep. Trey Rhodes, adds new prohibitions on soil amendments to the OCGA: restricting storing any soil amendment derived from industrial by-products within 100 feet of any property line and loading or unloading any soil amendment derived from industrial by-products within 100 feet of a public road.

ACCG Position: Evaluating

Status: Referred to House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

Contact: Joel Truss

GEFA Authorized to Fund Solar Panels on Closed County Landfills

HB 1133, sponsored by Rep. Robert Dickey, authorizes the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to finance and perform certain duties on projects related to facilitating solar installations on closed landfills. This covers the process for bidding from local governments, project construction and management, and future project dissolution.

ACCG Position: Evaluating

Status: Referred to the House Committee on Governmental Affairs

Contact: Joel Truss

Extend Paid Maternity Leave for Public Employees

HB 1118, sponsored by Rep. Sandy Donatucci, grants all eligible employees, including those employed by state and local governments and local educational organizations, paid maternal birth leave up to 80 hours after six continuous months of employment, regardless of whether the employee is eligible for paid or unpaid leave under federal law, not exceeding 120 hours in 12 months.

ACCG Position: Evaluating

Status: Assigned to the House Committee on Public and Community Health

Contact: Joel Truss

Other Bills

Progressing Bills

Peace Officers - Extend Time for Which Training Reimbursement is Required

HB 549, by Rep. Devan Seabaugh, extends the time frame for reimbursement of training expenses by a subsequent employer of a peace officer from 15 months to 36 months once training is complete.

ACCG Position: Neutral

Status: Pending in Senate Rules Committee

Contact: Todd Edwards 

Prohibits Racing Facility Nuisance Claims

HB 1066, sponsored by Rep. Will Wade, prohibits property owners from bringing a nuisance claim against a racing facility built before they purchased the property. 

ACCG Position: Neutral

Status: Passed House Governmental Affairs; Pending in House Rules

Contact: Kaylon Day

DNA Sampling Required of Those Subject to Immigration Detainer Notices

SB 116, sponsored by Sen. Tim Bearden, requires the collection of DNA samples from individuals in detention facilities who are charged with a misdemeanor or felony and are subject to an immigration detainer notice.

ACCG Position: Neutral

Status: Pending in Senate Rules Committee

Contact: Todd Edwards

Updating the State Water Plan

HR 1008, sponsored by Rep. Lynn Smith, amends the rules of the State and Regional Water Councils at the request of the Department of Natural Resources, reducing the number of appointments to Regional Water Councils.

ACCG Position: Neutral

Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment

Contact: Joel Truss

Fireworks: Redefine Temporary Consumer Fireworks Facilities

HB 1095, sponsored by Rep. Alan Powell, allows for tent, canopy, and membrane structures to serve as temporary consumer fireworks facilities. A distributor may operate up to 10 temporary facilities per location, paying a license fee of $500.00 per location to the local government.  

ACCG Position: Evaluating

Status: Passed House Regulated Industries Committee; Pending in House Rules

Contact: Todd Edwards

New Bills

Require Governor Approval and Cap for Enterprise Zones

HB 1129, sponsored by Rep. Seabaugh, requires the Governor's approval for enterprise zone state sales tax exemptions, caps zones at four per urban redevelopment area, and restricts revenue bond use.

ACCG Position: Neutral

Status: Referred to House Governmental Affairs

Contact: Keenan Rogers

Waive Permitting Fees for Disabled Veterans

HB 1087, sponsored by Rep. Josh Bonner, requires local governments to waive building-related fees—such as permits, plan reviews, and inspections—when home improvements are needed to accommodate a veteran’s disability.

ACCG Position: Evaluating

Status: Referred to House Defense & Veteran Affairs

Contact: Kaylon Day

Corporate Landlord Reporting

HB 1115, sponsored by Rep. Derrick McCollum, requires entities with an interest in more than 2,000 single-family homes to submit an annual report to the state auditor detailing the number of homes in which they hold a stake. Beginning in January 2027, entities will be prohibited from owning more than 2,000 single-family homes.

ACCG Position: Evaluating

Status: Referred to House Governmental Affairs

Contact: Kaylon Day

Authorize Development Authorities to Finance Affordable Housing

HB 1177, sponsored by Rep. Al Williams, allows development authorities to finance and develop affordable housing projects for households earning 80% or less of the area’s median income.

ACCG Position: Neutral

Status: Referred to House Governmental Affairs

Contact: Keenan Rogers

Eliminate Housing Authority Bond Limits

HB 1180, sponsored by Rep. Crowe, removes all caps on bonds the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority can issue while requiring bonds to state they are not backed by the state's full faith and credit.

ACCG Position: Neutral

Status: Referred to House Governmental Affairs

Contact: Keenan Rogers

Requires Excise Tax on Accommodations to be Remitted to the DOR

HB 1216, by Rep. Ron Stephens, requires that any excise tax on rooms, lodgings, and accommodations be remitted to the Department of Revenue (DOR) for disbursement, instead of being remitted to the individual local government. The bill also allows DOR to set regulations and requirements for filing reports of the returns.

ACCG Current Position: Evaluating

Status: Introduced

Contact: Nathan Corbitt

Establish the Georgia Artificial Intelligence Commission

SB 455, sponsored by Sen. Merritt, creates a 16-member commission to develop AI guidelines for state government and make policy recommendations to the General Assembly by December 2027.

ACCG Position: Neutral

Status: Referred to Senate Science & Technology

Contact: Keenan Rogers

Increase Penalty for Obstructing Roads

SB 443, by Sen. Carden Summers, makes it a high and aggravated misdemeanor to purposely or recklessly obstruct any highway, street, sidewalk, or other public passage. If the offense harms another person or destroys property, the offender shall be guilty of a felony.    

ACCG Position: Neutral

Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee

Contact: Todd Edwards

Light Frame Truss Signage Requirement

HB 1086, sponsored by Rep. Johnny Chastain, requires commercial, industrial, and multi-unit residential buildings with light-frame truss systems to post visible signage to alert firefighters and emergency responders.

ACCG Position: Support

Status: Referred to House Regulated Industries

Contact: Kaylon Day

Police Traffic Stops: Pull Over in Safe Location

HB 1161, by Rep. Marvin Lim, allows people pulled over by police, if in an unsafe location, to display their vehicle's flashing lights or turn signal, observe the maximum posted speed limit, and continue to a reasonably safe location to stop. 

ACCG Position: Evaluating

Status: Referred to House Public Safety Committee

Contact: Todd Edwards 

Contractor Pay & Benefits Preemption Removal

HB 1157, sponsored by Rep. Stacey Evans, removes the preemption for local governments to require specific pay and benefits for contractors.

ACCG Position: Support

Status: Referred to House Industry & Labor

Contact: Kaylon Day

Expanding Public Availability for Opioid Antagonists

SB 450, sponsored by Sen. Kenya Wicks, requires public libraries to store and maintain overdose-reversal medications on site. Library employees may administer the opioid antagonist if they believe someone is experiencing an opioid overdose.



ACCG Position: Evaluating

Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on State and Local Governmental Operations

Contact: Joel Truss

Omnibus Legislation for the Department of Public Health

SB 440, sponsored by Sen. Kay Kilpatrick, modernizes and updates provisions relative to duties or functions of the Georgia Department of Public Health by eliminating several in-house boards, updating appointments, and revising reporting requirements for several state programs.

ACCG Position: Watching

Status: Assigned to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services

Contact: Joel Truss

Contact Your Representative and Express Support for the Housing for the 21^st Century Act

Next week, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on HR 6644, the Housing for the 21st Century Act. A two-thirds majority vote is needed for it to pass. The National Association of Counties (NACo) is encouraging county officials to contact their representatives and urge them to vote in favor of the bill. This NACo-endorsed legislation marks the largest federal investment in housing in more than a decade. The bill offers critical support for community housing programs such as the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) program and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). It also acknowledges counties as vital partners in expanding housing opportunities, promoting local reforms without imposing restrictive oversight on county housing strategies.

Click here to learn more about HR 6644 and how you can support its passage.

GTIB Application Deadline Quickly Approaching

The Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) is a grant and low-interest loan program administered by the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA). SRTA currently has two calls for projects open until next Friday, Feb. 13. Applications are being accepted for GTIB’s Roadway Program and the Airport Hanger Program, a new loan funding opportunity for publicly owned, public use airports for the purpose of constructing airport hangars.

ACCG's Kaylon Day and Todd Edwards with Cherokee County Manager Geoff Morton, Chairman Harry Johnson, and Community Development Director Brantley Day at the Capitol.

ACCG Director of Governmental Affairs Todd Edwards and Deputy General Counsel Viviane Ernstes with members of the Georgia Sheriffs' Association supporting HB 997.

2026 ACCG Capitol Connection Conference

Gov. Kemp and Speaker Burns Confirmed Speakers

Registration is still open for the 2026 Capitol Connection Conference (CCC) taking place on March 4-5, 2026, at The American Hotel. Governor Kemp and House Speaker Jon Burns are confirmed to speak during the Legislative Breakfast on Thursday, Mar. 5.

CCC 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.

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.

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