HB 164 prevents counties from prohibiting the use of coin operated amusement machines or limiting the number of coin operated amusement machines to less than nine per business. Counties may provide limited regulation of these machines, including requiring business owners to inform all employees of the state prohibitions against disbursing certain types of prizes. Counties may provide that an alcoholic beverage license may be suspended or revoked for failure of a business owner to comply with the state law regarding the use of coin operated amusement machines. Counties may also regulate the distance required between the coin operated amusement machines and other structures, so long as the distance requirements are no more stringent than those provided for the sale of alcoholic beverages. Businesses may be required by the county to keep the coin operated amusement machines in plain view.

HB 668 would require applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to take and pass a drug test in order to qualify for benefits.  The person applying for benefits would be responsible for the cost of the drug test.  

The state would provide the applicants with a list of approved substance abuse treatment programs.  The cost of a substance abuse treatment program would not be paid for by the state. If an applicant fails a drug test three times, they are ineligible to receive TANF benefits for three years.  Such an applicant would be required to complete an approved substance abuse treatment program.

The results of the drug tests would not be required to be released under the Open Records Law.

This bill requires the Department of Human Services to create a random drug testing program for recipients who receive state public assistance and state administered federal public assistance.  The recipient is responsible for the cost of the drug screening.

This is enabling legislation for the creation of Mental Health Courts at the county level. The statute is based on the drug court model currently in place. This bill does not mandate the creation of mental health courts, but leaves that decision to the local judicial circuits. The prosecutor is the gate keeper and will refer appropriate cases to the Mental Health Court. Mental Health Courts when implemented and operated properly can provide a huge savings to local governments in jail and medical costs while addressing public safety concerns.

With the closure of the state psychiatric hospitals these court programs can assist in diverting offenders with mental health issues to community mental health services instead of the jail.

This bill allows the state to temporarily protect confidential records from release during on-going negotiations with economic development prospects - potential future employers of Georgians. It removes a current obstacle to job-creation by putting Georgia on equal footing with most other states that already protect their prospect information. All information that is currently open to the public will become open following the completion of negotiations. Counties and cities were deleted from the exemption during the committee process.

This bill requires counties and cities to post notices of their meetings on the county website, if they have one, at least 24 hours before the meeting. This requirement is in addition to the requirement that the newspaper be notified of a meeting and the other posting requirements for open meetings.

This bill repeals the Local Government Cable Fair Competition Act of 1999 and replaces it with the Broadband Investment Equity Act. This bill is being redrafted with several amendments. ACCG will notify you when the new version is available.

If your county provides any telecommunication services to the public, please contact ACCG Legislative Director, Clint Mueller at cmueller@accg.org.