Georgia CommonsHR 54: Honoring several cities upon their designation as Georgia PlanFirst communities; commend
Last action January 27, 2025 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution honors eight cities, including Acworth, Alma, Augusta, Camilla, Griffin, Monroe, Toccoa, and Warner Robins, for earning the state's PlanFirst community planning designation.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia House of Representatives rather than a change to state law. It marks the 35th anniversary of the Georgia Planning Act, which requires local governments to engage in coordinated, comprehensive planning to protect the state's natural resources and quality of life. The resolution recognizes eight cities (Acworth, Alma, Augusta, Camilla, Griffin, Monroe, Toccoa, and Warner Robins) that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs designated as Georgia PlanFirst communities for their strong record of developing and carrying out comprehensive plans. The House formally honors these cities for their planning accomplishments and directs the Clerk of the House to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the public and the press.
What the bill does
- Formally honors eight named Georgia cities for being designated Georgia PlanFirst communities by the Department of Community Affairs.
- States the legislature's recognition of the 35th anniversary of the Georgia Planning Act, which requires local comprehensive planning.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.
- Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties, since it is a commendation rather than a law change.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names and honors the City of Acworth, Alma, Augusta, Camilla, Griffin, Monroe, Toccoa, and Warner Robins. It also references the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, which runs the PlanFirst program, and local governments generally that engage in comprehensive planning.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal force and changes no rules, funding, or penalties. Its practical effect is symbolic: it gives the eight named cities public, official recognition from the Georgia House for their community planning work.
Key provisions
- The preamble explains the Georgia Planning Act's 35th anniversary and its requirement that local governments engage in comprehensive planning.
- The preamble describes the Georgia Department of Community Affairs' PlanFirst program, which recognizes cities with strong comprehensive planning records.
- The resolving clause names eight cities and formally honors them for their planning accomplishments.
- A final clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
From the bill
“this legislative body is justly proud to honor the City of Acworth, the City of Alma, the City of Augusta, the City of Camilla, the City of Griffin, the City of Monroe, the City of Toccoa, and the City of Warner Robins for their outstanding and commendable community planning efforts”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Lisa Campbell (D, HD-035)
- Bethany Ballard (R, HD-147)
- Karen Mathiak (R, HD-082)
- Chris Erwin (R, HD-032)
- Bruce Williamson (R, HD-112)
- Ginny Ehrhart (R, HD-036)
Topics
- community planning
- local government recognition
- Georgia PlanFirst program
- Georgia Planning Act