Another Short Legislative Week but General Assembly Remains on Track

Coming off last week’s four-day legislative week, members of the Georgia General Assembly witnessed yet another brief stint under the Gold Dome. However, this week’s limited time in both chambers was due to the heavy hitting snow that captured the Southeast. Though legislators enjoyed not one but two snow days, they were able to remain on track as today marks legislative day 14 as resolved by both the House and the Senate. Though the snow brought in frigid temperatures, three things remained “hot” topics this week- cell towers, gun legislation, and ethics. Read the legislative update below for more details and for a list of bills that are progressing.

As always, do not forget to stay engaged and connected in order to stay informed! Continue to monitor for ACCG Action Alerts and watch the County Scoop as the 2014 legislative session progresses.

Cell Towers Remain a Hot Topic- House Votes to Pass HB 176

HB 176, cell tower bill from, was introduced last session. Significantly scaled back from the original bill, HB 176 includes provisions addressing local government application procedures and fees, a 150-day shot clock to act on new tower permit applications, the removal of existing towers, and rental charges on public property. No longer in the bill are the “automatic approval” provisions if application shot clocks are missed, language allowing the incremental increase in size and width of existing towers, the prohibition of any local regulations on cell equipment placed in utility poles in the right of way, and various other measures ACCG found most objectionable from last session. The current bill is a result of compromise among ACCG, GMA, and the wireless providers. The House voted today to pass this bill.

Omnibus Gun Legislation of 2014 Has Major Impact on Counties

HB 875 is the omnibus gun legislation of 2014 that has many provisions, including lifting statutory prohibitions on carrying weapons into bars, churches and public housing by legally-permitted individuals. This legislation significantly revises provisions on mental illness conditions impacting legal licensing and where weapons can be carried in airports among numerous, other provisions. Boards of education can authorize school personnel to carry guns at schools and define the training said personnel must obtain as well as set rules on where the weapons will be stored. However, allowing individuals to carry guns in government buildings, unless entrance is restricted by security personnel during regular business hours, is the provision that is of most importance to counties. To learn more about additional provisions in HB 875 and their impact on counties, please see the complete summary in the legislative update below.

The House voted today to pass SB 297. This legislation requires those seeking election as a county official to file a declaration of intent to accept campaign contributions with the county’s election superintendent. The election superintendent is required to transmit the documents electronically by eFiling or eFaxing a copy of the report to the Commission no later than 10 days after the close of the reporting period. This legislation also changes the exemption to file campaign finance disclosure reports from those who will collect less than $2,500 each calendar year to those who will collect less than $2,500 each term of office.