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 …
Local Government
Part II: Key Provisions of School Facility Construction & Design Contracts
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 …
Part I: Key Provisions of School Facility Construction & Design Contracts
The following is part one of a two part series originally published online in School Construction News on Wednesday, 25 April 2018.
Part I: Key Provisions of School Facility Construction & Design Contracts
New Georgia Bill Requires Local Governments to Use Georgia Procurement Registry – UPDATED
This blog post was written by AHC associate Taylor Orgeron.
The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation making the local government procurement process more accessible to bidders. Chairman Tom McCall (R-33rd) authored House Bill 489, which passed unanimously on …
New Local Government Procurement Law Requires Consultant Disclosure – UPDATED
Article by Taylor Orgeron, Associate Attorney at AHC Law
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 …
Georgia Bill Seeks to Limit Sovereign Immunity
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 so broad that it cannot be …
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 …
Difficult Problems in Public Works, Bidding, Procurement, and Contracting
AHC Attorney David Cook recently presented to the Institute for City and County Attorneys in Athens, Georgia on September 15, 2017, concerning “Difficult Problems in Public Works, Bidding, Procurement, and Contracting.” It is helpful for local governments to periodically review …
Georgia appellate court supports county claim against surety company’s failure to pay
In 2015, Hall County (Georgia) brought legal action against Selective Insurance Company of America, Inc., the surety company for contractor Ruby Forrest. Hall County had contracted Ruby Forrest to complete and maintain sidewalk systems within three residential subdivisions that Ruby …