Advocacy

Governor Kemp Signs GMA-Supported Legislation

Governor Brian Kemp has now signed several important pieces of legislation from the 2025 session that will benefit cities across Georgia.

Tort Reform Resources

Georgia’s cities are facing unprecedented challenges due to growing civil liability exposure, threatening their ability to remain insured and risking increased property taxes for residents and businesses. If unaddressed, these liabilities could jeopardize essential services and create barriers to economic growth.

2025 Year End Legislative Report

The 2025 session saw the introduction of over 1,300 bills and 1,500 resolutions. See what passed and what didn’t, explore key budget wins for cities, and find out which study committees GMA is watching in our year-end legislative report.
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Featured Legislation

Annexation Dispute Resolution Bill Passes

House Bill 155, which improves the annexation dispute resolution process and clarifies zoning procedures, passed on the last day of the legislative session and has been sent to Gov. Kemp.

Out-of-State Landlord Bill Makes it to Governor's Desk

HB 399 requires out-of-state landlords who own or operate single-family or duplex rental properties in Georgia to have at least one in-state licensee responsible for receiving and managing tenant communications.

HB 513 Passes, Refines SDS Process

HB 513 clarifies the types of revenue counties may use to fund services in unincorporated areas and establishes an accounting mechanism to prevent disputes over revenue sources and their connection to the services provided.
View All Legislation GMA Tracked During the 2025 Legislative Session

Get Involved in GMA's Legislative Initiatives

Hometown Connection

GMA’s Hometown Connection is designed to strengthen relationships between cities and legislators by providing firsthand insights into local challenges and successes.

Legislative Policy Council & Policy Committees

GMA’s six standing policy committees serve as forums for city officials to hear about the status of legislative and policy issues and as channels for advancing recommendations to the GMA Legislative Policy Council.

Legislative Policies

GMA's 2025 Legislative Policies were adopted by the association's membership on Sunday, June 23, 2024, during the association's Business Meeting at the 2024 Annual Convention. These policies are the culmination of extensive input and discussions.

The process included input received by GMA staff during twelve district spring listening sessions, a thorough review and discussion by the Legislative Policy Council, and the synthesis of suggestions and proposals by GMA staff.

Download the Legislative Policies

This Week in D.C.

Restructuring FEMA, Surface Transportation Reauthorization, Municipal Bonds

May 29, 2025

Preserve CDBG Call to Action, Digital Equity Act, GMA on Capitol Hill

May 22, 2025
View All

U.S. Capitol

Congressional Appropriations Requests: What Cities Need to Know

Local officials can seek funding for qualified community initiatives through Congress's annual appropriations process, which funds government operations, including defense, education, and community projects.

Maintaining the Tax Exemption on Municipal Bonds

The 119th Congress will be weighing the option of extending tax cuts to corporations and individuals provided by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the provisions of which are set to expire at the end of 2025.

Interested in the Work of a Policy Council?

GMA’s Legislative Policy Council (LPC) and Federal Policy Council (FPC) are the focal points for the Association’s state and federal policy efforts. These two councils combine their efforts and input of GMA’s six standing Policy Committees with its district outreach effort.

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