Another new procurement-related law requires state and local governments to accept electronic signatures and seals on bonds issued under the state and local public works laws. Consistent with some of the other rule changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Georgia …
City Governments
Georgia State and Local Governments Receive Expanded Authority for Conservation Projects
In the 2020-2021 session, the Georgia General Assembly amended existing laws to expand state and local governments’ authority to enter conservation projects. In connection with these projects, the contractor guarantees that cost savings or revenue increases will cover any …
COVID-19 Tips for Employers
Many of our clients have inquired about what they should do when an employee contracts Covid-19. While the answer is complicated, depending on the circumstances of each case, here are some helpful guides from OSHA. You can find answers to …
IRS Extends Beginning-of-Construction Rules for Renewable Energy Tax Credits
As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, Notice 2020-41 extends the beginning-of-construction rule for renewable energy tax benefits under sections 45 and 48. Specifically, the notice extends the Continuity Safe Harbor for both the production tax credit for renewable energy …
Part II: Key Provisions of School Facility Construction & Design Contracts
Breach of Construction Contract,
City Governments,
Construction Contracts,
Construction Estimating,
Construction Litigation,
Construction Owners,
Contractors and Subcontractors,
County Governments,
Local Government,
Local Governments,
Public Contractors,
Public Works,
School Systems,
Subcontractors,
The following article was written by David R. Cook, and was published 13 June by School Construction News. It is reprinted here with permission. Part I, “Key Provisions of School Facility Construction & Design Contracts,” was published 25 April.…
Georgia Legislature Passes Additional Procurement Rules
On May 3, 2018, Governor Nathan Deal signed HB 899 into law, officially making it Act 389. Act 389 modifies O.C.G.A. § 13-10-4 and § 36-91-23 relating to public works bidding and contracts of state and local governments, respectively. Both …
New Local Government Procurement Law Requires Consultant Disclosure – UPDATED
In the final hours of Sine Die, the Georgia Legislature passed House Bill 995. This legislation, which is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature, is directed to local governments’ procurement matters. It seeks to ensure transparency and fairness in the procurement …
Georgia Bill Seeks to Limit Sovereign Immunity
UPDATE: This post is updated below.
State and local governments enjoy the protection of sovereign immunity. It may be waived only by a constitutional amendment or by act of the legislature. As discussed in a prior post, it is …
County Sovereign Immunity Invokes Change-Order Ordinance
The recent case of Fulton County v. Soco Contracting Company, Inc. addresses two very interesting questions for local government attorneys. First, can a county ordinance bolster a defense of sovereign immunity against a contractor’s claims? Second, can a county waive …
AHC Attorney David Cook Presents on Public Works Construction and Procurement Law
In two recent events, AHC Attorney David Cook presented on the latest Public Works Construction and Procurement Laws. The Georgia Chapter of the American Public Works Association held its Annual Meeting in Jekyll Island, Georgia on July 25-28, 2017. …