This bill requires local governments to send, via electronic PDF file, their annual budgets and audits to the Carl Vinson Institute of Government to be posted on a centralized website.  Counties will have up to 30 days to submit their budget once it is adopted.  

In addition to clarifying current law authorizing state agencies to enter into benefits-based funding contracts, the bill authorizes state and local government agencies to enter into “guaranteed energy savings performance contracts” with “qualified energy service providers. A list of qualified providers will be prepared by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. The purpose of the performance contracts is to evaluate, recommend and implement energy conservation measures including the design and installation of equipment, operation and maintenance of any of the measures and guaranteed annual savings that meet or exceed the total annual contract payments made by county governmental agency, including financing charges over the life of the contract. Savings generated due to an energy savings performance contract would be evaluated over a 20-year period. Financing the cost of projects related to the contract may be via installment or lease-purchase agreements for periods up to 20 years. Authorization for local and state agencies to enter energy savings performance contacts pursuant to this bill is subject to ratification of a proposed constitutional amendment at the 2010 general election.

This legislation makes it unlawful for a county to refuse to allow a properly-licensed utility contractor to bid on a utility project simply because the utility contractor does not also have a general contractor license.

In the General Assembly's continued focus on local government operations, this resolution establishes a Senate study committee to examine whether counties and cities should be able to enter into long-term contracts with vendors. The committee is made up of five Senators, to be appointed by the Lt. Governor, and it is "authorized" to consult with ACCG.