AGC Georgia Governmental Affairs Successes

How AGC Georgia’s Advocacy Benefits Your Bottom Line

Construction is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country, and the quality of those laws and regulations matters to the entire industry. Good legislation helps companies deliver projects profitably and on time. Poorly crafted rules, on the other hand, drive up costs and create roadblocks to getting the job done. That’s why AGC Georgia has spent decades working with the Georgia Legislature to protect contractors’ interests, eliminate bad regulations and advance policies that strengthen the construction industry.

We don’t make a lot of noise. Instead of rallies or protests, we work strategically at the Capitol by meeting with legislators, testifying in committees and shaping bills before they become law. Year after year, this approach has saved member companies millions of dollars and spared them countless headaches.

AGC Georgia has earned a strong reputation at the Capitol as the go-to resource on construction issues. Our governmental affairs team is both seasoned and approachable, and lawmakers regularly call on them while legislation is still being drafted. This trusted position gives us the chance to shape policy before it becomes law – ensuring outcomes that benefit contractors and the industry as a whole.

Our advocacy work is recognized across Georgia’s political landscape. Each year, James Magazine, a leading publication that tracks legislative influence, surveys lawmakers, lobbyists and political insiders. Time and again, AGC Georgia and our advocacy team have ranked among the very best, a clear signal of the respect and credibility we’ve built under the Gold Dome.

Let us show you just a few of the results we have delivered.

CREATING A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENT

Increased the Public Works Threshold

We successfully raised the dollar amount that triggers public advertising and competitive bidding on construction projects. The threshold moved from $100,000 to $250,000, the first update in more than 20 years. This change better reflects today’s project costs and reduces unnecessary delays for smaller jobs.

Helped Launch E-SPLOST Construction Funding

Our team supported legislation to implement E-SPLOST and later worked to ensure that all qualified contractors could compete for school construction work. These efforts laid the foundation for Georgia’s current public works law.

Improved Access Through the DOAS Registry

We made sure all public jobs meeting the cost threshold must be posted on the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) procurement registry. This free, centralized resource makes it easier for contractors to find opportunities while ensuring transparency and equal access.

Guarded Against Procurement Loopholes

We continue to push for competitive awarding of energy savings contracts. While Georgia law includes exceptions, our position remains firm that public contracts should be advertised and fairly awarded unless an emergency requires immediate action.

Expanded Delivery Options for Public Projects

We worked with policymakers to allow construction delivery methods beyond the traditional design-bid-build, including design build and construction management at risk. These options give owners and contractors more flexibility.

Protected Competitive Bidding

• We stopped the expansion of IDIQ and JOC delivery s ystems that rely on pre-selected contractor lists and reduce fair competition.

• AGC Georgia successfully challenged and stopped the use of a reverse auction system proposed by the Georgia Municipal Association that violated state procurement law.

RECENT HONORS FROM JAMES MAGAZINE

AGC Georgia’s ranking in Trade and Business Associations

Mark Woodall’s ranking in the top 100 Registered Lobbyists #12 #82 #9

DEFENDING FAIRNESS AND FINANCIAL PROTECTIONS

Secured Pay-When-Paid Provisions

Our team led the effort to change Georgia’s payment law in 1997. The new statute replaced “pay if paid” language with “pay when paid,” and gave subcontractors the right to file liens if an owner defaults on payment and the general contractor is out of the picture.

Clarified Lien Rights for Delivered Materials

After a court ruled against a contractor who had not yet installed materials, we clarified the law to ensure that any materials or equipment delivered for a specific project can be included in a lien claim.

Fixed Retainage Practices on Public Jobs

We replaced the outdated rule that withheld 10% retainage until 50% completion. A flat 5% retainage is now held throughout the life of the project, promoting fairer cash flow for contractors.

Preserved

Flexibility in Subcontractor Selection

AGC Georgia defeated legislation that would have required general contractors to name subcontractors at the time of bid.

TOOLS FOR LONG-TERM INDUSTRY SUCCESS

Created Consistency in State Contracting

Our involvement in the GSFIC Advisory Committee led to the creation of Georgia’s State Construction Manual. This guide brought clarity and consistency to contracting procedures on state-funded projects.

Removed Unrealistic Experience Barriers

We supported legislation to correct a rule that blocked qualified contractors from bidding if they hadn’t built a specific type of facility. Even contractors with more complex project experience were disqualified. That rule has now been corrected to allow for broader competition.

Simplified Licensing Across Georgia

Our team worked with state leaders and the Homebuilders Association of Georgia to implement a single statewide general contractor license. This eliminated the need to obtain licenses in each city and county, reducing administrative burden and costs.

Clarified the Role of GCs in Design Build

Our team ensured that general contractors could continue offering design build services as long as licensed architects or engineers provide the design portion. This clarification protects contractor roles while respecting design licensure laws.

REGULATORY WINS AND LIABILITY PROTECTIONS

Clarified Tax Liability on Owner-Purchased Materials

We secured a key change to Georgia’s tax code to protect contractors from being blindsided by sales and use taxes on materials purchased by public owners. This update now provides clear guardrails when contractors are asked to install materials they did not purchase, eliminating hidden tax risk.

Protected Against Overreaching NPDES Requirements

Our team supported legislation that prevents local governments from enforcing environmental regulations that go beyond state law. We also pushed back against extreme water sampling rules that required contractors to test runoff after every rain event, saving builders from unnecessary costs and delays.

Made Electronic Signatures Legal in Construction

We supported legislation that formally recognized electronic signatures in Georgia’s construction industry, reducing paperwork and making project administration more efficient.

Members join legislators & state agency leaders at the Capitol.

Fought Apprentice Ratio Mandates

Our team helped stop legislation that would have required a fixed ratio of electrical journeymen to apprentices on jobsites, protecting contractors ability to staff projects efficiently.

Enabled Private Inspections

Thanks to our securing private plan review and inspections in Georgia law, construction firms have more flexibility in addressing this requirement. Without this crucial change, projects would have come to a halt due to cities and counties closing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stopped Risky Subcontractor Liability Mandates

We defeated legislation that would have made general contractors liable for the immigration status of subcontractors’ workers – an unreasonable burden on builders.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION ADVOCACY

Putting Construction on Georgia’s High-Demand Career List

For too long, construction was left off the state’s official list of highdemand careers. We changed that. Now, construction is recognized as a critical industry – unlocking workforce funding, grants and stronger education-to-career pipelines. That means more support for companies like yours to attract and train the skilled workers you need.

Championed K–12 Curriculum and Equipment Investment

We’ve pushed for stronger construction-focused curriculum in Georgia’s public schools – and secured funding for the tools, equipment and modern training labs that make it real. The result? Students leave school better prepared for careers in construction, giving your company a stronger pipeline of skilled workers.

Strengthening Industry–Education Connections

We championed the CONNECT Act (Creating Opportunities Needed Now to Expand Credentialed Training), a law that ensures schools and technical programs align with real-world workforce needs. For construction companies, that means more students graduating with the skills your jobs require.

Investing in Skilled Instructors

Through our advocacy, state funding now provides more support to schools as they work to recruit and retain top instructor who are educating tomorrow’s construction workforce

Secured Permanent Funding for Construction Education

After years of advocacy, construction programs are now part of Georgia’s base education budget. Beginning in 2025, this recurring funding secures long-term support for high school construction education, which is a lasting win for the industry.

MARKET INTEGRITY AND LEGAL ADVOCACY

Passed Statewide Tort Reform

We helped lead the charge in passing comprehensive tort reform alongside coalition partners. These changes will help reduce frivolous lawsuits and lower liability insurance premiums. Our association contributed more than $115,000 to pass this legislation.

Secured Essential Industry Status During COVID-19

When the pandemic hit, we worked directly with the Governor’s office to secure an executive order ensuring construction was classified as an essential industry. This allowed job sites to remain operational while other sectors shut down.

Fought Against Inmate Labor on Private Jobs

We pushed back on the use of inmate labor for public works jobs, successfully restricting it to jail-related facilities only. This ensures public safety and preserves fair competition for our industry.

Stopped Public Entities from Competing in Private Market

We opposed legislation that would have allowed government maintenance departments to perform construction services for the private sector. That bill did not advance, preserving opportunities for licensed contractors.

Filed Amicus Briefs to Protect the Industry’s Interests

Our legal team has engaged in numerous key court cases through amicus briefs to defend member firms and ensure construction law continues to reflect practical, real-world applications.

WHO BENEFITS FROM OUR ADVOCACY?

AGC Georgia works on behalf of the entire construction industry. Our wins benefit everyone – not just members.

NOT YET A MEMBER OF AGC GEORGIA?

Because together, AGC Georgia companies achieve what no single firm can do alone. By representing all of Georgia’s construction companies, we speak with the weight of billions of dollars in economic impact. We can command attention, which allows us to quietly shape a better business climate. Our work benefits individual firms, but we need your participation to maintain that strength.

Continuing Government & Political Engagement

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made over the past decades, but we know future success depends on building and maintaining strong relationships with legislators, agencies, trade groups and others. That’s why we invest in connecting socially each year – so when critical issues arise, we already have the trust and relationships in place to be heard.

Here is a sample of the events we sponsor, memberships we maintain and donations that we make:

• Host legislative receptions

• Membership in Legislative Committees and Real Estate Trade Groups

– Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee

– Call Before You Dig Committee Members

• Maintain representation in the three major construction schools in Georgia – Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State.

• Target annual political giving based on election cycles and issues before the legislature