HB570: HB570 Local government; acknowledge that certain international organizations have no jurisdiction in this state

This bill creates a new chapter in Georgia law called the Georgia Land Sovereignty and Private Property Protection Act. It responds to concerns that international bodies such as the United Nations, UNESCO, or the World Health Organization issue designations, recommendations, or guidance that could be cited by state agencies or local governments when making zoning, permitting, or environmental decisions. The bill says such designations have no legal effect in Georgia unless a state law specifically authorizes their use, and it bars agencies and local governments from relying on them for policymaking, permitting decisions, or as evidence in legal proceedings. If a government action based on such a designation reduces a property's value or usable rights, the bill treats that as a regulatory taking requiring compensation under the Georgia Constitution. It also blocks governments from partnering with international organizations on land use matters. People harmed by a violation could sue for a court order and recover attorney's fees. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• Declares that designations issued by international organizations, such as the United Nations, UNESCO, or the World Health Organization, have no legal or regulatory effect in Georgia unless a state law allows it.
• Prohibits state agencies and local governments from using such designations as a basis for zoning, permitting, rulemaking, or as evidence in legal proceedings.
• Treats any government action that lowers a property's value or usable rights because of reliance on such a designation as a regulatory taking requiring compensation under the Georgia Constitution.
• Bars state agencies and local governments from entering agreements with international organizations that influence land use or from promoting international designation processes for Georgia land.
• Gives people or entities harmed by a violation the right to sue for a court order stopping the violation and to recover attorney's fees and court costs.
• Clarifies the law does not conflict with federal law or treaties and applies only to state and local regulatory authority, not private voluntary participation.

State agencies and local governments (counties, cities, and consolidated governments) that make zoning, permitting, or environmental decisions; private property owners whose land could be affected by international designations such as World Heritage or biosphere reserve listings; and courts that would handle new lawsuits under the act.

If enacted, Georgia agencies and local governments could no longer cite international designations like UNESCO World Heritage status when limiting how private land is used, and property owners could sue and recover attorney's fees if they believe such a designation improperly restricted their property rights.

• Section 1 adds Chapter 6 to Title 1 of the Georgia Code, naming it the 'Georgia Land Sovereignty and Private Property Protection Act' (O.C.G.A. § 1-6-1).
• O.C.G.A. § 1-6-3 defines 'international organization' to include entities like the United Nations, UNESCO, and the World Health Organization, and defines 'designation' broadly to cover recommendations and guidance.
• O.C.G.A. § 1-6-4 says international designations have no legal effect in Georgia unless the General Assembly passes a law authorizing their use.
• O.C.G.A. § 1-6-5 makes any government action relying on such a designation that reduces property value or use a 'regulatory taking' requiring compensation under the Georgia Constitution.
• O.C.G.A. § 1-6-6 bars agencies and local governments from partnering with international organizations on land use matters or participating in international designation processes for Georgia land.
• O.C.G.A. § 1-6-7 clarifies the chapter does not conflict with federal law or treaties and applies only to state and local regulatory authority.
• O.C.G.A. § 1-6-8 allows anyone adversely affected to seek a court order stopping violations and to recover attorney's fees and costs.
• Section 2 makes the law effective immediately upon the Governor's signature or becoming law without signature.

1. 2026-03-03House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2025-02-26House Second Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-24House First Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-21House Hopper (House)

• John Corbett (R, HD-174)Primary sponsor
• James Burchett (R, HD-176)
• Jason Ridley (R, HD-006)
• Trey Rhodes (R, HD-124)
• Charles Cannon (R, HD-172)

• property rights
• land use regulation
• local government authority
• international organizations
• zoning