The Council for Quality Growth promotes balanced and responsible growth in the metro Atlanta region and state by:
- Promoting long range planning and adequate delivery of government services;
- Serving as a catalyst for consensus on growth issues; and
- Providing a forum for discussion of responsible development, and economic or technical expertise as needed
The Council’s annual legislative agenda incorporates member input and ensures alignment with the Council’s long-term mission. Our legislative agenda for 2019 and previous years can be explored below.
2020 Legislative Agenda
Our legislative agenda has historically focused on long-term investments in the regional transportation network; water and land use regulations; and policies that support economic development. Council membership has specifically encouraged the continued pursuit of long-term transportation funding with a particular focus on transit and connectivity across the region. Considering this, the Council for Quality Growth’s legislative platform includes:
Transportation
- Support measures to expand and streamline the operation of metro Atlanta’s transit systems;
- Oppose any legislation that seeks to repeal any portion of House Bill 170, the “Transportation Funding Act of 2015”;
- Support legislation that clarifies technical processes but doesn’t infringe on the core mission and purpose of the ATL Authority (HB 930, 2018).
- Support policies that seek to enhance Georgia’s freight & logistics infrastructure;
- Support legislation that increases funding to the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB), with additional investment specifically directed to transportation projects sponsored by Community Improvement Districts and/or local governments.
Water, Land Use and Environmental Regulation
- Promote effective water management policy to ensure adequate sources of clean water to meet the needs of Georgia’s growing population and businesses;
- Continue support of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, including additional funding;
- Support legislation that allows for greater flexibility in use of land that has water bodies on it and encourage efficiency in the permitting process;
- Continue support of the existing brownfield programs, including additional funding;
- Oppose legislation that restricts the industry’s ability to develop in a quality and cost-effective manner.
Economic Development and Job Creation
- Oppose any legislation that limits the current structure and functions of Community Improvement Districts and Development Authorities;
- Promote reasonable and effective short-term rental regulations;
- Advocate for legislation that creates enhanced tax incentives to encourage redevelopment of land not being properly utilized and for business growth;
- Support economic development tools and incentives to create, recruit and retain businesses;
- Oppose policies that would negatively impact our business climate or can be perceived as discriminatory in nature
- Support legislation that incentivizes 21st century infrastructure and promotes investment in Georgia’s economy;
- Support legislation that focuses on economic development tools to guide affordable housing creation;
- Oppose legislation that imposes additional restrictions on the development, banking and business communities;
- Oppose legislation that infringes on Georgia citizens’ property rights.
Previous Annual Legislative Agendas
2019 Legislative Agenda
The Council for Quality Growth 2019 Agenda:
Our legislative agenda has historically focused on long-term investments in the regional transportation network; water and land use regulations; and policies that support economic development. Council membership has specifically encouraged the continued pursuit of long-term transportation funding with a particular focus on transit and connectivity across the region. Considering this, the Council for Quality Growth’s legislative platform includes:
Transportation
- Support legislation that funds multi-year transportation and infrastructure needs;
- Support measures to expand and streamline the operation of metro Atlanta’s transit systems;
- Oppose any legislation that seeks to repeal any portion of House Bill 170, the “Transportation Funding Act of 2015”;
- Support legislation that clarifies technical processes but doesn’t infringe on the core mission and purpose of the ATL Authority (HB 930, 2018).
Water, Land Use and Environmental Regulation
- Support legislation that allows for greater flexibility in use of land that has water bodies on it and encourage efficiency in the permitting process;
- Promote effective water management policy to ensure adequate sources of clean water to meet the needs of Georgia’s growing population and businesses;
- Continue support of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, including additional funding;
- Continue support of the existing brownfield programs, including additional funding;
- Oppose legislation that restricts the industry’s ability to develop in a quality and cost-effective manner;
Economic Development and Job Creation
- Oppose policies that would negatively impact our business climate or can be perceived as discriminatory in nature, and could harm our ability to create, attract, retain and expand jobs in Georgia (e.g. RFRA);
- Oppose any legislation that limits the current structure and functions of Community Improvement Districts and Development Authorities;
- Advocate for legislation that creates enhanced tax incentives to encourage redevelopment of land not being properly utilized and for business growth;
- Support economic development tools and incentives to create, recruit and retain businesses;
- Support legislation that incentivizes 21st century infrastructure and promotes investment in Georgia’s economy;
- Support legislation that allows for greater confidentiality when engaging with business prospects;
- Support legislation that streamlines and consolidates E-Verify processes;
- Support legislation that focuses on economic development tools to guide affordable housing creation;
- Oppose legislation that increases regulation or adds new restrictions on the development, banking and business communities;
- Oppose legislation that infringes on Georgia citizens’ property rights.
2018 Legislative Agenda
The Council for Quality Growth 2018 Agenda:
Our legislative agenda has historically focused on long-term investments in the regional transportation network; water and land use regulations; and policies that support economic development. During a recent survey, the Council membership has specifically encouraged the continued pursuit of long-term transportation funding with a particular focus on transit and connectivity across the region. Considering this, the Council for Quality Growth’s legislative platform includes:
Transportation
- Support legislation that funds multi-year transportation and infrastructure needs;
- Support measures to expand and streamline the operation of metro Atlanta’s transit systems;
- Oppose any legislation that seeks to repeal any portion of House Bill 170, the “Transportation Funding Act of 2015.”
Water and Land Use and Environmental Regulation
- Support legislation that allows for greater flexibility in use of land that has water bodies on it and encourage efficiency in the permitting process.
- Continue support of the existing brownfield programs, including additional funding.
- Oppose legislation that restricts the industry’s ability to develop in a quality and cost-effective manner.
- Continue to advocate for interbasin water transfers.
Economic Development and Job Creation
- Oppose policies that would negatively impact our business climate, are or can be perceived as discriminatory in nature, and could harm our ability to create, attract, retain and expand jobs in Georgia (e.g. RFRA);
- Oppose any legislation that limits the current structure and functions of Community Improvement Districts and Development Authorities;
- Advocate for legislation that creates enhanced tax incentives to encourage redevelopment of land not being properly utilized and for small business growth;
- Support economic development tools and incentives to start, recruit and retain businesses;
- Advocate for legislation that creates enhanced tax incentives to encourage small business growth;
- Support legislation that allows for greater confidentiality when engaging with business prospects;
- Oppose legislation that increases regulation or adds new restrictions on the development, banking and business communities;
- Oppose any legislation that infringes on Georgia citizens’ property rights.
2017 Legislative Agenda
The Council for Quality Growth 2017 Agenda:
Transportation
- Support legislation that funds multi-year transportation and infrastructure needs;
- Support measures to expand and streamline the operation of metro Atlanta’s transit systems;
- Oppose any legislation that seeks to repeal any portion of House Bill 170, the “Transportation Funding Act of 2015”.
Water and Land Use and Environmental Regulation
- Support legislation that allows for greater flexibility in use of land encumbered by streams and water bodies and encourage efficiency in the permitting process;
- Continues support of the existing brownfield programs, including additional funding.
- Oppose legislation that restricts the industry’s ability to develop in a quality and cost-effective manner.
- Continue to advocate for interbasin water transfers;
Economic Development and Job Creation
- Oppose any legislation that limits the current structure and functions of Community Improvement Districts and Development Authorities;
- Advocate for legislation that creates enhanced tax incentives to encourage small business growth;
- Support legislation that allows for greater confidentiality when engaging with business prospects;
- Oppose legislation that increases regulation or adds new restrictions on the development, banking and business communities;
- Oppose any legislation that infringes on Georgia citizens’ property rights.
2016 Legislative Agenda
The Council for Quality Growth 2016 Agenda:
Transportation
- Support legislation that funds multi-year transportation and infrastructure needs;
- Oppose any legislation that seeks to repeal any portion of House Bill 170, the “Transportation Funding Act of 2015”;
- Support measures to expand and streamline the operation of metro Atlanta’s transit systems.
Water and Land Use and Environmental Regulation
- Support legislation that allows for greater flexibility in use of land encumbered by streams and water bodies and encourage efficiency in the permitting process;
- Continues support of the existing brownfield programs, including additional funding.
- Oppose legislation that restricts the industry’s ability to develop in a quality and cost-effective manner.
- Continue to advocate for interbasin water transfers;
Economic Development and Job Creation
- Oppose any legislation that limits the current structure and functions of Community Improvement Districts and Development Authorities;
- Advocate for legislation that creates enhanced tax incentives to encourage small business growth;
- Support legislation that allows for greater confidentiality when engaging with business prospects;
- Oppose legislation that increases regulation or adds new restrictions on the development, banking and business communities;
- Oppose any legislation that infringes on Georgia citizens’ property rights.
2015 Legislative Agenda
The Council for Quality Growth 2015 Agenda:
- Economic Development and Job Creation
- Transportation
- Water and Land Use
- Environmental Regulation
The Council for Quality Growth’s legislative task force, which consists of 11 members from various industry segments, forms the Council’s annual legislative agenda, incorporating member input and ensuring alignment with the Council’s long-term mission.
Economic Development and Job Creation
- Oppose any legislation that limits the current structure and functions of Community Improvement Districts and Downtown Development Authorities
- Advocate for legislation that creates enhanced tax incentives to encourage small business growth
- Oppose legislation that increases regulation or adds new restrictions on the development, banking, and business communities
- Oppose any legislation that infringes on Georgia citizens’ property rights
Transportation
- Support funding mechanisms that fully fund multi-year transportation and infrastructure needs
- Oppose any legislation that seeks to repeal the penalty portion of the “Transportation Investment Act”
Water and Land Use and Environmental Regulation
- Support legislation that allows greater flexibility in use of land encumbered by streams and water bodies and encourage efficiency in the permitting process
- Support legislation that encourages greater flexibility and economic incentives for Brownfield development
- Oppose legislation that restricts the industry’s ability to develop in a quality and cost-effective manner
- Continue advocacy for interbasin water transfers
- Promote full-funding for Governor’s Water Supply Program