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Keep in Touch with Legislators on Several of This Week’s Top Issues
Negotiation was the name of the game this week as ACCG policy staff continued to work with legislators on key bills and track the progress of legislation at subcommittee and committee meetings. As the legislature approaches “Day 30,”please watch for emails or action alerts from ACCG with requests to contact your senators and representatives. The time that you take to make a phone call or send an email truly does have an impact.
ACCG staff continued to make progress on the open meetings and open records legislation (HB 397). Concerns regarding the attorney-client privilege are expected to be addressed in the substitute version of the legislation. While the reduction in the cost of copies remains at ten cents for regular copies, actual costs may be charged for oversized copies, such as maps. HB 397 is expected to come before a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Monday and before the full House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
Bill Expanding Weight Limits for Trucks Up for Senate Transportation Committee Consideration
The Senate Transportation Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on Senate Bill 146, which increases the overall weight limits for trucks from 80,000 to 86,000 pounds and increases the single axle weight limit to 22,000 pounds. Increasing the weight limits on trucks will further negatively impact road and bridge infrastructure throughout the state. The cost impact of this action on local taxpayers is significant due to the increased maintenance that will be required. Please discuss this bill with your senators before it is scheduled for a vote next Tuesday.
Urge Senate Appropriations Committee to Support Bill Addressing Redirected Fees
House Bill 811 passed with strong support in the House this week with a vote of 151 – 5. This legislation addresses the redirection of dedicated fees for programs such as the Solid Waste Trust Fund, the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund, indigent defense and others. The bill has been transmitted to the Senate and assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Please contact members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and encourage their support for this legislation, which seeks to add transparency to how these fees are used.
SPLOST Bill Requiring Estimated Operating Expenses Passes Senate, Heads to House
Earlier this month, ACCG reported on Senate Bill 322, which places new requirements on SPLOST annual reports and also requires counties to estimate annual operating expenses for SPLOST projects when the initial resolution is called for the referendum. SB 332 passed in the Senate this week and now heads to the House for consideration. This legislation has momentum, so it is important to talk to your House members about it now.
Ask Senators to Restore Funding for Printers and Terminals in Tax Commissioners’ Offices in FY 2012 Supplemental Budget
Counties fulfill state tag and titling responsibilities through the tax commissioner’s office. Recently, the Department of Revenue stopped paying for the maintenance and replacement of state owned and required printers and terminals in your tax commissioner’s office. ACCG, working with the Georgia Association of Tax Officials (GATO) and House members, restored the state funding for this equipment in the FY 2012 Supplemental Budget ($500,850). The intent was to carry this funding into future budgets, therefore having the state once again pay the costs to help support this service provided on its behalf through the county. However, the Senate has removed this funding from the FY 2012 Supplemental Budget. Please contact your Senators and explain how funding for state owned and required printers and terminals should be the responsibility of the state and ask them to return this funding to the FY Supplemental Budget.
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