Capitol Connection E-Newsletter – November 2018
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Review Your Toolkit to Get Prepared for the 2019 Legislative Session
As the 2019 legislative session approaches, Georgia counties should be in full gear to stay informed, get involved, and make a difference on helping craft sound public policy for the State of Georgia. ACCG’s Legislative Toolkit is designed to inform individuals about major concerns that all counties share in an effort to spark dialogue amongst communities and promote awareness of the Guiding Principles and the Policy Agenda ACCG will actively pursue on their behalf. Before the legislative session begins, county officials are encouraged to take time to review the toolkit and discuss these top priorities with their state legislators. County officials are also encouraged to use the toolkit as a guide throughout the session.

Questions regarding any issues outlined in the Toolkit should be directed to a member of the policy staff.

Time to Update Your CLC Network
ACCG is asking for your assistance with updating the list of county legislative coordinators (CLC). The CLC network is a communication tool that helps county commissioners and county management stay updated on legislation of importance to counties and provides county-specific information to ACCG to help legislators assess the impact of proposed legislation. Further details on the responsibilities of a CLC can be found here. County chairmen are asked to officially designate the CLC by passing a  resolution  at a commission meeting.

Please contact Todd Edwards ( tedwards@accg.org) if you have any questions.
Registration Still Open for District Meetings
There is still time to sign up for the remaining District Meetings! Don't miss out on an opportunity to interact with state lawmakers and engage in discussions on significant policy issues as outlined in the ACCG Legislative Agenda and Legislative Priorities. More details on District Meetings can be found here . Contact your clerk to register.

Please contact Nicole Logan ( nlogan@accg.org ) if you have any questions.
2019 DCA Reporting Calendar is Now Available
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Office of Research has published their 2019 reporting calendar. This calendar provides deadlines, contacts, and links for county, city, and authority reports. Based on the passage of HB 257 last year, authority registration and financial reporting have been combined into a single report on a single timeline due within six months of the conclusion of the authority’s fiscal year. This change will impact all local authorities. The new authority reporting system is live and authorities will use the same user ID and password combination that they have previously used. Transition information will be distributed by DCA to authorities in the near future to help them use the new system. 

DOAA Immigration Reporting System is Live
The Immigration Report Collection System managed by the Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA) is now live. The reporting period is December 1, 2017 through November 30, 2018 and the due date to complete the report is December 31, 2018.   An overview of what should be reported and how to access the reporting system can be found through DOAA’s Immigration and Reform Act Quick Reference Sheet . The county must submit information related to their E-Verify number and authorization date, E-Verify contractor information, E-Verify private employer information, public benefit information, and must certify that it is compliant with state law regarding sanctuary policies. This report is mandatory and must be submitted by every county governing authority and all county authorities.

Please start preparing early to ensure that you have all the information needed to file the report by the deadline. DOAA will be reporting non-compliant counties to state agencies that provide state funding to local governments, so make sure that you submit your report by December 31, 2018. If you have any technical questions about filing the report, including questions about your username or password, please contact the DOAA at Immhelp@audits.ga.gov or visit the DOAA website at http://www.audits.ga.gov. Step-by-step instructions on how to submit the report can be found here. All questions about the legal requirements for this report should be directed to your county attorney.

Time to Create Your Local Complete Count Committee!
The 2020 Census will be here before you know it. The best way to make sure that you have the most accurate count is to create a local complete count committee to ensure that all residents in your county are motivated and educated about the importance of participating in the Census. These committees should include county and city governments, faith based groups, nonprofits, schools, businesses, the media, community groups, and any other organization that can help spread awareness. There are many resources available to help you get started. The U.S. Census Bureau has detailed information on their website and the Atlanta Regional Office can assist by hosting a workshop or meeting with your county to help you create a local committee. Don’t miss out on counting everyone in your county!  
NACo Article: FCC Could Slash County Franchise Fees
In a recent article published by the National Association of Counties (NACo), it was reported that cable TV franchise fees paid to local governments could be slashed under a deregulation proposal being considered by the Federal Communications Commission, according to the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA).

Click here for more information and to read the article in its entirety.
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Questions? Email the
ACCG Legislative team:


Register for a
2018 District Meeting
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