March 22, 2024 Volume 15, Issue 11 View in Browser

Prepare for the Final Week of the 2024  Legislative Session

Next week is the final week of the 2024 Session of the General Assembly. There will be many bills debated that impact counties. This week’s Legislative Update includes a list of bills that ACCG would like to pass and a list of bills that are of concern to counties. Please contact your legislators this weekend to share how these bills will impact your county. County commissioners are key in making a difference on the outcome of this legislation.   Bills that ACCG would like for the General Assembly to pass: House Bill 290 – Three-Way Contract for County to Collect City Property Taxes - Pending in Senate Rules Committee House Bill 581 and House Resolution 1022 – Property Tax Reforms - Pending in Senate Rules Committee House Bill 946 – Call Single County TSPLOST Referendum without Approval of All Cities - Pending in Senate Rules Committee House Bill 1044 – Increase Public Works Bidding Threshold to $250,000 - Pending in Senate Rules Committee House Bill 1407 – Improve Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) Negotiations - Pending in Senate Rules Committee Senate Bill 349 – Property Tax Reforms and New Sales Tax for Property Tax Relief - Pending in the House Rules Committee

Bills that ACCG has concerns with or that may have varying impacts on counties: House Bill 283 – Increase Sales Tax Exemption on Manufactured Homes - Pending in Senate Rules Committee House Bill 451 – PTSD Insurance for First Responders -Pending in Senate Rules Committee House Bill 516 – Restrictions Using Speed Detection Cameras on Federal Interstate Highways - Pending an Agree or Disagree in the House House Bill 625 – Coroner Mandated Salaries and Benefits - Pending in Senate Rules Committee House Bill 1019 – Increase Statewide Homestead Exemption from $2,000 to $10,000 - Pending in Senate Rules Committee House Bill 1146 – Private Water Permits Without County Approval - Pending in Senate Rules Committee House Resolution 96 – Timber Tax Assessment Reduction - Pending in Senate Rules Committee House Bill 976 – Election Superintendents Must Unseal and Scan All Ballots Upon Request - Pending in Senate Rules Committee (see other election bills below).

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

Appropriations Item: EMS Funding Stripped from Senate Budget – In the Senate’s version of the FY 2025 budget, the line item to increase funds for emergency medical service (EMS) transport reimbursement to begin at mile zero has been removed. This item was a component of ACCG’s EMS Funding Legislative Priority. Please contact your senators, particularly those on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and encourage them to reinsert EMS funding into the FY 2025 budget.

General County Government Staff Contact: Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs Todd Edwards; tedwards@accg.org     Multiple Election Bills Morph and Move    During the past week, several election bills of significant impact on county costs and administration passed out of both House and Senate Committees. As with all election bills, ACCG urges counties to contact and get feedback from their election offices on the impact these bills will have on administering elections. Please share any concerns you may have with your legislators. Among the pending election measures: House Bill 974 – Pending in Senate Rules Committee Requires ballots to include a visible watermark that identifies it as an official Georgia ballot. Requires all absentee ballots to be scanned to produce digital images. Requires the Secretary of State to establish and maintain a statewide system for the posting of scanned paper ballots. Requires counties to conduct additional risk-limiting audits.   House Bill 976 – Pending in Senate Rules Committee  Makes the mailing address for any homeless person the registrar's office for election purposes. Adds verification requirements for counties to ensure people can vote. Requires additional steps for election workers in sealing, storing, transporting, and maintaining documented custody of ballots; and Requires election superintendents to unseal and make copies of all ballots upon the request of anyone.   House Bill 1207 – Pending in Senate Rules Committee  Provides that, when no one qualifies for an election by the regular deadline, then an additional qualifying period will be provided. Requires election superintendents to further proof and verify ballots. Authorizes election superintendents to use less than one voting machine per every 250 electors during general elections. Grants poll watchers access to polling places, advance voting locations, tabulation centers, and locations where absentee ballots are being verified, processed, adjudicated, and scanned. Adds penalties for those threatening or interfering with a poll officer, election official, or poll watcher.   House Bill 1312 – Pending in House Rules Committee Requires counties to fund an additional round of elections for members of the Public Service Commission.   Senate Bill 189 – Pending in House Rules Committee     Provides that the text portion of the paper ballot constitutes the official vote. Authorizes election superintendents to provide paper ballots at polling locations.   Senate Bill 212 – On House Rules Calendar Probate judges will shed election responsibilities. Counties must institute an election board.  Constitutional Officers Must Disclose their Discretionary Funds   House Bill 1149, by Rep. Mesha Mainor, passed both houses and now awaits action by the Governor. This bill requires constitutional officers to annually report their discretionary funds to the county governing authority. ACCG supports this bill.   Counties Must Have Drones Approved by State   House Bill 988, by Rep. Brad Thomas, prohibits local governments from purchasing or using drones that are not approved by the Georgia Board of Homeland Security (BHS), which must develop a list of approved drones by December 1, 2024. This bill is pending in the House Rules Committee. ACCG is neutral on this bill.

Revenue and Finance Staff Contact: Governmental Affairs Associate Dante Handel; dhandel@accg.org   Tax Committees Pass Large Ad Valorem Packages The Ways and Means and Finance Committees each passed large comprehensive ad valorem bills this week: Senate Bill 349 and House Bill 581, respectively. Both pieces of legislation include a floating homestead exemption for all local governments with an inflationary factor, as well as a local government opt-out provision. The version in the House, SB 349, also includes much of the sales tax language from the original House Bill 1115 including an additional sales tax option for many jurisdictions, which will provide another tool for local governments that do not opt out of the floating homestead exemption. Both bills include language addressing ACCG’s Property Tax Legislative Priority items for the tax estimate, three-year lock, settlement conferences, and sales ratio study. Additionally, House Resolution 1022 is the constitutional amendment that accompanies HB 581. ACCG supports each of these measures.

Public Safety and the Courts Staff Contact: Governmental Affairs Associate Gabriel Carter; gcarter@accg.org   Senate Votes Out Immigration Bills House Bill 1105 and House Bill 301, which enact penalties on local governments that have sanctuary policies or practices, both passed out of the Senate. HB 301 poses a greater concern among these bills as it eliminates sovereign immunity and governmental immunity from any local government with a sanctuary policy or practice in place. ACCG is working with the House to make amendments to both bills that would limit any unintended consequences. Discuss these bills with your county attorney and State Representatives. Speed Detection Camera Bills Progress in House Language was added to Senate Bill 97 and Senate Bill 402 that will restrict the use of speed detection cameras. Both bills passed out of the House Rules Committee and are eligible to be voted on by the House. ACCG opposes both bills.   House and Senate Take Different Paths on Superior Court Judges Compensation Bill House Bill 947, which addresses superior court judges' compensation, has taken two new forms. In the Senate, House Resolution 1042, would make this bill a constitutional amendment while Senate Bill 479 in the House now carries the language from HB 947. ACCG is neutral on both measures.

Economic Development and Transportation Staff Contact: Associate Director of Governmental Affairs Martha Revelo; mrevelo@accg.org HB 516 Passes Out of the Senate  House Bill 516, by Rep. McCollum, includes language that changes the date when the Department of Agriculture will begin regulating and taxing the use of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to January 1, 2026. This bill passed out of the Senate with an amendment that would restrict county or city law enforcement from using any speed detection devices upon a federal interstate highway unless the local government has five or more contiguous miles of that highway within its jurisdiction. ACCG is opposed to the amendment which may preempt some counties from using radar for speed detection on some interstates.

Natural Resources and the Environment Staff Contact: Associate Director of Governmental Affairs Martha Revelo; mrevelo@accg.org Utility Worker Protection Act   House Bill 1033, by Rep. Rob Leverett, had its final passage on the House floor yesterday and is now headed to the Governor’s desk. This bill protects utility workers from individuals who threaten or assault them while performing official duties. ACCG supported this bill.   Soil Amendments Bill Passes Out of the Senate   House Bill 1223, by Rep. Rob Leverett, passed out of the Senate with an amendment. It includes a provision prohibiting the distribution of soil amendments on a site that is subject to a consent order or under existing enforcement action by the Department of Agriculture or the EPD. ACCG supports this bill.   House Study Committee on Private Water Systems Passes Committee   House Resolution 1498, by Rep. Trey Rhodes, creates a study committee that studies the operations of private water systems around the state. The resolution passed out of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. ACCG supports this resolution.   House Study Committee on Solar Facility Development   House Resolution 1505, by Rep. Robert Dickey, creates a study committee that evaluates the development of solar facilities, to inform all stakeholders of the benefits and consequences of increased solar facility development on farmlands. The resolution passed the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. ACCG is neutral on this resolution.   House Study Committee on Navigable Streams   House Resolution 1554, by Rep. Lynn Smith, creates a study committee to carefully evaluate all aspects of navigable streams in the state and the complex issues surrounding their ownership, private and public rights of use, and other related matters. This resolution passed the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee. ACCG supports this resolution.

Governmental Affairs Team in Action

The Governmental Affairs Team and legal intern Cindy Phan.

Members of the Governmental Affairs Team welcome the House’s newest member, Rep. Gary Richardson (middle). Gary served two terms as a Columbia County Commissioner and was just sworn in to replace Rep. Barry Fleming, who was appointed as a Superior Court Judge.

Stay Connected and Engaged!

Virtual Legislative Update Replay Watch the replay of the 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.

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. Georgia could get rid of ballot QR codes — but not till 2026 AJC Politics - March 21, 2024 General Assembly sets new elections for PSC members Capitol Beat - March 21, 2024 Georgia Senate leaders pass budget for upcoming year with raises for 300,000 AJC Politics - March 20, 2024 State Senate panel passes bill giving coroners big raises Capitol Beat - March 19, 2024

Questions? Email the ACCG Governmental Affairs team: Clint Mueller Todd Edwards Martha Revelo 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.