ACCG honors Rep. John LaHood with a 2024 ACCG Legislative Service Award
May 17—VALDOSTA — The Association County Commissioners of Georgia recently recognized state Rep. John LaHood, of District 175, with a 2024 Legislative Service Award.
ACCG Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs Todd Edwards presented LaHood with his award during the May 14 Lowndes County Commission meeting. The ACCG Legislative Service Awards program honors state House and Senate members for their work during the legislative session.
"The annual Legislative Service Awards program allows ACCG, on behalf of Georgia's county commissioners, to express appreciation to the dedicated members of the Georgia General Assembly," said Executive Director Dave Wills. "This program emphasizes the importance of state and local officials working together in order to prioritize the needs of their shared constituencies."
LaHood was recognized for his involvement with service delivery strategy, a 2024 ACCG Policy Agenda item, the ACCG said in a press release. Following the 2023 legislative session, he co-chaired the Joint Study Committee on SDS, which met numerous times throughout the state, engaging legislators, ACCG, and the Georgia Municipal Association to draft recommendations to improve the Service Delivery Act. He then co-sponsored and was instrumental in the final passage of House Bill 1407 during the 2024 legislative session. HB 1407 makes several procedural enhancements to aid cities and counties in SDS negotiations.
As chairman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee, LaHood also worked closely with ACCG on numerous bills benefitting Georgia's counties, the association said.
"There's no one-size fits all solution to SDS. My respect for county commissioners and city councilmen around this state has grown tremendously through this process," LaHood said. "With ACCG representing all 159 Georgia counties and GMA representing Georgia's 500-plus cities, we worked together, along with other stakeholders, to craft legislation that retains local government autonomy while also protecting the best interest of tax paying citizens with the introduction of new provisions that enhance transparency and accountability. The goal of SDS is to achieve efficiency in the delivery of services and to avoid duplication of costs and resources. I believe HB 1407 goes a long way to ensure that goal is accomplished."
