ATLANTA – State Representative Paul Battles (R- Cartersville) recently received the 2016 Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) Legislative Service Award. ACCG presented Rep. Battles with this award during the Bartow County Board of Commissioners meeting on September 14, 2016.
“I am humbled to receive this award, and I would like to thank ACCG for this honor,” said Rep. Battles. “I am grateful to ACCG for recognizing my legislative efforts to better our counties, and our entire state, by allowing local governments to have more control, and I look forward to seeing the positive effects this legislation has on all Georgians.”
ACCG honored Rep. Battles for sponsoring House Bill 727, a bill which gives counties more local control regarding the use of fireworks. The legislation limits when and where fireworks can be used and gives local government some authority to enforce public health and safety laws. HB 727 also allows counties to govern the use of fireworks on public property.
“ACCG is thankful to Rep. Battles for his work on HB 727,” said ACCG Associate Legislative Director Todd Edwards. “This piece of legislation is a true example of the state and county government working together in revising state law to help address citizen concerns.”
Each year, ACCG presents legislative service awards to recognize Georgia House and Senate members who it believes demonstrate distinguished leadership and interest in working with county governments for the benefit of Georgia’s citizens. The annual awards have gained recognition among elected and appointed officials as a prestigious way to acknowledge Georgia lawmakers for exemplary leadership.
“ACCG is proud to recognize this year’s Legislative Service Award recipients for their devoted service to Georgia’s counties,” said ACCG Executive Director Ross King. “Their efforts are a true reflection of government working collaboratively for the overall benefit of its citizens.”
ACCG is Georgia’s county association and works on behalf of county officials and their communities by providing public policy and legislative advocacy, leadership development, civic and community engagement initiatives, insurance and retirement programs that specialize in local government needs and other cost-saving programs. Formed in 1914 when county officials came together to help fund the state’s first highway department, ACCG today serves as a catalyst for advancing Georgia’s counties.
For more information on ACCG, please click here.
Representative Paul Battles represents the citizens of District 15, which includes portions of Bartow County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2008. He currently serves as Chairman of the Retirement Committee, and Secretary of the Motor Vehicles Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and the Economic Development & Tourism, and Ways & Means committees.
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