Two Lincoln County legislators have been selected as recipients of the 2005 Legislative Service Award by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG).

State Senator Jim Whitehead and State Representative Barry Fleming were presented with the award at the September 20 meeting of the Columbia County Board of Commissioners held at the Evans Government Center.

The Legislative Service Award is given annually to lawmakers who have demonstrated distinguished leadership and interest in working with county governments for the benefit of Georgia citizens.

During the 2005 session of the General Assembly, Senator Whitehead played a pivotal role in protecting and preserving the environment. In particular, the senator sponsored Senate Bill 122, extending the life of the scrap tire management fee for three years. This $1 fee, attached to new tires bought in the state, is the source of revenue for the state Solid Waste Trust Fund (SWTF).

The SWTF funds:

Programs designed to clean up illegal tire dumps.

Grants that are awarded to local governments to advance scrap tire and solid waste management.

Statewide recycling and waste reduction programs.

Litter control programs which reflect Governor Sonny Perdue’s concerns about the negative environmental impact of litter.

As chairman of the Special House Committee on Tort Reform, Representative Barry Fleming ensured that Senate Bill 3, the centerpiece of the 2005 session’s tort reform legislation, addressed the needs not only of the business and medical communities but also of the county taxpayers. While much of the debate regarding tort reform focused on the medical community and business concerns, several aspects of tort reform clearly benefited county taxpayers as well.

Perhaps the best example of this is the proposed change in the law of joint and several liability. Previously this law has resulted in counties (i.e. the taxpayers of these counties) being required to pay 100 percent of an injured party’s damages even if a jury found that the county was only slightly responsible for causing the damages. Through his efforts, Representative Fleming fixed the problem.

According to Jerry Griffin, executive director of the ACCG, “Senator Whitehead and Representative Fleming have consistently demonstrated their concern for the well-being of all Georgia citizens, and by their work in the General Assembly, they have acknowledged the vital role the counties play in protecting and serving the taxpayers of Georgia.”

Established in 1914 with 19 charter members, ACCG is the consensus building, training, service, and legislative advocacy organization of Georgia’s 159 county governments. The agency brings counties statewide together on matters of public policy that have special impact on local governments.