This legislation first re-sets the base salaries for all local constitutional officers (sheriff, clerk of superior court, tax commissioner and probate judge) to their current amount - accounting for all COLAs received since 2006 - then increases that base salary by 5 percent, effective Jan. 1, 2021.  ACCG believes that, in order to receive another pay increase, local constitutional officers should go through a similar process to what is required of county commissioners -  providing a notice of intent and fiscal impact in the legal organ at least once a week for three consecutive weeks, then providing notice via a public hearing before a meeting of the respective county board of commissioners.  Our proposal provides transparency and allows a respective county officer to explain to the public why another pay increase is necessary.  ACCG is not seeking the county's approval or denial under this scenario.  To view constitutional officers' salaries, by county (those which responded to the ACCG survey), please click here.

This preemption legislation, similar to HB 302, prohibits counties and cities from regulating "building design elements" in single or double family dwellings.  Local governments could no longer enact standards on:

- exterior building color,

- type or style of exterior cladding material, 

- style or materials of roof structures or porches, 

- exterior nonstructural architectural ornamentation, 

- location or architectural styling of windows and doors, including garage doors, 

- the number and types of rooms, and

- types of foundation structures approved under state minimum standard codes.   

In short, if a house meets state minimum standard building codes, it can be built.  Exceptions would apply if the dwellings are in state historic districts; are local, state or national historic landmarks; manufactured homes; or if regulations are adopted as a condition of participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. 

Legislation was passed last session to provide Georgia's local constitutional officers a 5% pay raise, effective January 1, 2021.  This legislation clarifies that this 5% pay raise is in addition to the constitutional officers' 2% COLA received on January 1, 2020.