Bill > HB570

This bill, known as the "Georgia Land Sovereignty and Private Property Protection Act," asserts that Georgia is a sovereign state with authority over land use, zoning, environmental policy, health regulations, and private property protections within its borders, and that these matters are of state and local concern accountable to elected officials. It declares that any "designation" (meaning a designation, classification, recognition, recommendation, or guidance) issued by an "international organization" (defined as a formal entity established by treaty or international agreement between two or more sovereign states, such as the United Nations) has no legal or regulatory effect in Georgia unless explicitly authorized by a state law passed by the General Assembly. Furthermore, it prohibits state agencies and local governments from using such designations to restrict private property use, for policy-making, rulemaking, regulatory enforcement, zoning, permitting, land use planning, environmental review, or to deny, condition, or delay permits, and any action that diminishes the value or use of private property based on an unauthorized international designation will be considered a "regulatory taking," requiring just compensation. The bill also prevents state agencies and local governments from entering into agreements with international organizations that influence land use or property regulation, implementing policies derived from their recommendations, or participating in designation processes affecting Georgia land, while clarifying that it does not conflict with federal law or prohibit voluntary private participation. Finally, it grants individuals or entities adversely affected by a violation of this act the right to sue for relief and recover attorney's fees and court costs.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70653