09 LC
21 0043
House
Bill 122
By:
Representatives Lindsey of the
54th,
Ramsey of the
72nd,
and Jacobs of the
80th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to general provisions relative to counties and municipalities, so as to define
certain terms; to provide that each local government having an annual budget in
excess of $1 million shall develop and operate a single searchable website
accessible by the public; to provide for certain information required to be
posted on such website; to provide for exceptions; to repeal conflicting laws;
and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Chapter
60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general
provisions relative to counties and municipalities, is amended by adding a new
Code section to read as follows:
"36-60-27.
(a)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
'Accountability website' means the website maintained by a local government
pursuant to this Code section.
(2) 'Local
government' means any local school board or governing authority of a city or
county having an annual budget in excess of $1 million.
(3)
'Searchable website' means a website that allows the public to review and
analyze information identified in this Code section.
(b)
No later than January 1, 2010, each local government having an annual budget in
excess of $1 million shall develop and operate a single searchable website
accessible by the public, at no cost, that provides the information required by
this Code section.
(c)
As soon as practicable after a local government has adopted a final budget for
the upcoming fiscal year, such budget shall be posted on the accountability
website.
(d)
As soon as practicable after the close of a fiscal year, a local government
shall post the following information for the fiscal year just
ended:
(1)
All sources of revenue, itemized by amount;
(2)
A list of all contracts and obligations entered into by the local government
which call for the expenditure of more than $1,000.00 at any time in the
aggregate;
(3)
A list of the names of each person, firm, or corporation that has received from
the local government payments in excess of $1,000.00 in the aggregate, including
the amount paid to such person, firm, or corporation, and the reason for such
payment;
(4)
An itemization of the compensation and travel and expense costs paid to each
public officer and employee of the local government; and
(5)
All other expenditures in excess of $5,000.00 not otherwise described in this
subsection.
(e)
Beginning in January, 2010, each local government shall post on its
accountability website the current budget and the required information relating
to the most recent closed fiscal year. Thereafter, the information required by
this Code section shall be posted in a timely manner. The report shall be
amended and corrected as necessary in a timely manner. The report for each year
shall be archived in a searchable data base and shall be maintained for at least
five years.
(f)
Nothing in this Code section shall require the disclosure of information which
is considered confidential by state or federal
law."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.