The Association County Commissioners (ACCG) was created in 1914 with 19 charter county members and a very limited mission – to help Georgia qualify for its share of the first ever federal road funds.  From these early beginnings, ACCG has built a solid foundation in public policy and advocacy as the voice for county government at the state and local level.

Today, ACCG uses a well-defined policy development process to build consensus among county officials on legislative issues.  Policy recommendations are developed through the work of six policy committees comprised of county elected and appointed officials.  These recommendations are developed into the County Platform.   Counties are provided an opportunity to review the County Platform and provide feedback to the ACCG Policy Council, made up of the Executive Committee of the ACCG Board of Managers and the policy committee chairs and vice-chairs.  The Policy Council develops the final County Platform and presents it for a vote to the counties at the annual Legislative Leadership Conference held in October.  Working with the ACCG Board of Managers, the association also developed a County Agenda which outlines legislative priorities.  Both the County Platform and the County Agenda are developed to coincide with the biennial session of the Georgia General Assembly.

While the Georgia General Assembly is in session, ACCG maintains a Legislative Database to help county officials and others track legislation. ACCG also seeks to keep county officials engaged and informed through weekly Legislative Updates, which outlines top legislative issues each week and summarizes new and progressing legislation.  ACCG tracks federal legislation under consideration by the U.S. Congress as well as significant regulatory considerations proposed by federal agencies and provides notification to counties as needed to encourage support or opposition.

ACCG recognizes that legislative advocacy is a year-round commitment and encourages county officials to build relationships with their state and federal legislators.  Likewise, ACCG remains actively engaged by monitoring and testifying at legislative study committees,  meeting one-on-one with legislators and state and federal officials, serving as a liaison to state and federal organizations involved with policy development and assisting county legislative outreach efforts.

 

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