HB 570: Local government; acknowledge that certain international organizations have no jurisdiction in this state

This bill creates a new chapter of Georgia law called the Georgia Land Sovereignty and Private Property Protection Act. It says that designations, recommendations, or guidance issued by international organizations (bodies formed by treaty between countries, such as the United Nations, UNESCO, or the World Health Organization) have no legal effect in Georgia unless the General Assembly passes a specific law authorizing them. State agencies and local governments would be barred from using such designations as a basis for zoning, permitting, environmental review, policymaking, or as evidence in legal proceedings, unless the legislature specifically authorizes it. If a government action relying on one of these designations lowers a property's value or restricts its use, the bill says that counts as a regulatory taking requiring just compensation under the Georgia Constitution. It also bars agreements or partnerships with international organizations that influence land use, and lets affected people sue for injunctions, declarations, and attorney's fees. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• Declares that designations, classifications, or guidance from international organizations have no legal or regulatory effect in Georgia unless the General Assembly specifically authorizes them by statute.
• Bars state agencies and local governments from using such designations in zoning, permitting, land use planning, environmental review, or as evidence in administrative, judicial, or legislative proceedings.
• Classifies any government action that reduces property value or restricts property use based on such a designation as a regulatory taking requiring just compensation under the Georgia Constitution.
• Prohibits state agencies and local governments from entering agreements with international organizations that influence land use or from adopting policies derived from their recommendations.
• Creates a private right to sue for declaratory or injunctive relief for violations, and allows the winning party to recover attorney's fees and court costs.
• Clarifies the law does not override federal law or treaties and applies only to state and local regulatory authority, not private voluntary participation.

State agencies and local governments in Georgia, including counties, municipalities, and consolidated governments, that use international designations in regulatory decisions; property owners who could sue if such designations restrict their land; and any local officials involved in partnerships tied to bodies like the UN, UNESCO, or the World Health Organization.

If enacted, Georgia agencies and local governments could no longer cite international designations, such as UNESCO heritage listings or WHO guidance, to justify zoning, permitting, or environmental decisions affecting private property, and doing so anyway could expose the government to lawsuits and compensation claims from property owners.

• Section 1-6-1 names the new law the 'Georgia Land Sovereignty and Private Property Protection Act.'
• Section 1-6-3 defines 'international organization' to include, but not limit to, the United Nations, UNESCO, and the World Health Organization.
• Section 1-6-4 says international designations have no legal effect in Georgia unless a state statute expressly authorizes them, and bars their use in policymaking, zoning, permitting, or as evidence in proceedings.
• Section 1-6-5(b) declares that government actions relying on such designations that reduce property value or use constitute a regulatory taking requiring just compensation.
• Section 1-6-6 bars agencies and local governments from entering partnerships with international organizations that influence land use or implementing policies derived from their recommendations.
• Section 1-6-7 clarifies the chapter does not conflict with federal law or treaties and applies only to state and local regulatory authority.
• Section 1-6-8 gives adversely affected persons standing to sue for declaratory or injunctive relief and lets prevailing parties recover attorney's fees.
• Section 2 makes the Act effective as soon as the Governor signs it or it becomes 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 and permitting