The Georgia Utility Contractors Association Inc. (GUCA) presents the Golden Shovel Legislative Service Award once a year to the Georgia state representative or senator who exemplifies character and initiative to help make productive changes to improve the quality of the environment, stimulate the economy, provide jobs and play an integral role in passing favorable or opposing oppressive legislation that affects the utility construction industry. This year GUCA has awarded the 2015 Golden Shovel Legislative Service Award to Senator Lindsey Tippins.

This is Senator Tippins’ third time to receive this award and it is in recognition of his service to the utility construction industry. He played an integral role in writing favorable legislation for GUCA in the 2015 legislative session, including Senate Bill 191 a major piece of legislation that contains language addressing city and counties ability to have more stringent and white lining regulations in conflict with Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act.

SB 191 successfully passed the Senate and House Committee (and Subcommittee) on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications this year. The bill is now in the House Rules Committee and will be available for consideration next year. In the interim, GUCA will continue to marshal the support of all stakeholders and speak with house leadership to ensure that this bill gets out of the Rules Committee next year. He addressed the members of the GUCA recently encouraging them to get involved in the legislative process.

Sen. Tippins from the 37th District was first elected to the senate in 2010. He represents the citizens of northwest Cobb County. Sen. Tippins, a republican, serves as the Chairman of the Education and Youth Committee. In addition, he serves as a member of the appropriations, judiciary and transportation committees.

Sen. Tippins served on the Cobb school board from 1997 to 2008 and three years as chairman. His common sense leadership and frugal management helped to better prepare the school system for the budget crunch they are now facing. Sen. Tippins has served as board member of Calvary’s Children’s Home, fellowship of christian athletes, board member and former president of the North Georgia State Fair and governor appointed board member of the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Sen. Tippins was named the 2008 Cobb County Citizen of the Year. Sen. Tippins owns and has operated Tippins Contracting Co. for more than 40 years, and is a former GUCA president and board member.

Georgia Utility Contractors Association Inc. is a non-profit state trade association located in metro Atlanta. Representing more than 300 utility contractors and affiliated firms statewide, GUCA members provide the materials and workforce to build and maintain the state’s network of water, sewer, gas, telecommunications and other utility systems.

For more information about GUCA, please visit www.guca.com.

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