During the 2018 and 2019 legislative sessions, GMA was actively engaged in addressing legislation related to small wireless facilities, or small cells, in the public right of way. In 2018, GMA successfully helped defeat harmful proposals but, following extensive negotiations with AT&T, Verizon, and ACCG after that session, an agreement was reached to streamline the installation of small cells.

In response to this new legislation, GMA partnered with Local Government Services to create model documents that aid local governments in complying with the law. The model small cell ordinance and permit provide a practical template for cities, helping them meet state and federal requirements while maintaining a level of local control afforded by those laws.