The Georgia General Assembly gaveled out “sine die” on April 4, officially closing the books on the 2025 legislative session. While the waning days of any session often bring a fair amount of uncertainty and late-night negotiations, this year’s finish gave Georgia’s cities plenty to celebrate—and even more to prepare for in the year ahead.
Thanks to a strong, coordinated advocacy effort by GMA members and the work of GMA’s legislative team under the Gold Dome, most of the association’s legislative priorities were successfully passed. Equally important, legislation that would have done real harm to local governments—by undermining municipal authority or imposing costly new risks—was stopped in its tracks.
These outcomes weren’t guaranteed. They are the direct result of months of sustained engagement from city officials across the state, the relationships built over years with legislators, and a strategy grounded in protecting the principles of home rule and local decision-making. Here’s what that effort delivered for Georgia’s cities this year.
Legislative Wins That Matter
One of GMA’s top priorities this session was Senate Bill 298, which now gives cities the right to directly appeal adverse rulings on sovereign immunity. Previously, cities often had to wade through years of litigation before even getting clarity on whether they were immune from certain lawsuits. Now, they’ll be able to get a more timely answer—saving both time and taxpayer dollars. We owe thanks to Sen. Randy Robertson for authoring the bill and to Rep. Rob Leverett for helping guide it through the House.
Another important win came in the form of House Bill 399, aimed at improving code enforcement outcomes when dealing with large, out-of-state landlords. As many cities have experienced, absentee corporate landlords can be difficult to engage on local compliance issues. This bill lays the groundwork for greater accountability and helps support local quality-of-life efforts. Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver carried the bill in the House, and Sen. Max Burns guided it through the Senate.
Two other practical, city-friendly bills—House Bill 137 and House Bill 155, both carried by Rep. Victor Anderson—make key improvements to the way cities operate. HB 137 raises the threshold for public works bidding exemptions, streamlining smaller local projects. HB 155, meanwhile, strengthens the annexation dispute resolution process and clarifies zoning procedures, helping cities manage growth more effectively and with fewer legal headaches. GMA also appreciates the leadership of Sen. Matt Brass and Sen. Drew Echols in helping get those measures over the finish line.
Cities also saw progress on intergovernmental relations through House Bill 513, a continuation of the reform efforts around Service Delivery Strategy (SDS). Led by Rep. John LaHood and Sen. Max Burns, the bill refines and improves the SDS process, providing clearer guidelines to reduce unnecessary conflict between cities and counties. It’s a quiet but impactful change that will help many communities avoid legal disputes and get back to negotiating in good faith.
Fighting for Fairness—and Against Harm
Not every priority made it to the governor’s desk this year. One of GMA’s most important initiatives—House Bill 531, which would establish fair and reasonable limits on municipal liability—stalled in the Senate. But thanks to the relentless efforts of Rep. Matt Reeves and strong support from Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch and other key senators, the bill remains eligible for consideration in the 2026 session. GMA will continue to advocate for this measure, which is critical to ensuring cities aren’t unfairly burdened with liability risks that strain local budgets and discourage innovation.
Meanwhile, legislation that would have imposed significant harm to cities was successfully stopped this session. Bills that sought to waive municipal immunity, preempt local authority in annexation decisions, or restrict the use of school zone safety cameras failed to advance—though they, too, remain eligible for next year. These efforts reflect a growing trend of state preemption that cities across the country are grappling with. That’s why maintaining a strong, persistent voice at the Capitol remains essential.
Listening and Looking Ahead
The work of GMA’s legislative advocacy team doesn’t stop when the gavel falls. Throughout April, team members will be the road attending GMA’s district listening sessions. These conversations allow us to hear directly from city officials, gather feedback, and prepare for the next session with a grounded understanding of the real-world issues facing municipalities.
Those insights will be brought back to the GMA Legislative Policy Council, which meets in May to review and revise GMA’s legislative positions. Updated policy recommendations will be presented at the Annual Convention in Savannah in June, helping to ensure that our advocacy continues to reflect the priorities of our member cities.
Why It Matters
It’s easy to think of legislative sessions in terms of bills and votes. But for cities, the stakes are far more tangible. A single piece of legislation can shift millions in costs, affect how cities grow and serve their residents, or redefine the balance between local and state control.
This session, GMA’s advocacy helped protect cities’ ability to make decisions locally, to enforce their ordinances effectively, to carry out public works more efficiently, and to resolve intergovernmental conflicts more constructively. These are the building blocks of local governance—and they are worth fighting for.
City officials across Georgia should take pride in what was accomplished this year. And as we look ahead to the 2026 session, GMA will continue working to ensure that the voices of Georgia’s cities are heard, respected, and empowered.
Because when cities are strong, Georgia is strong.
