SR 592: Georgia PlanFirst communities; honoring

This resolution from the Georgia General Assembly's Senate does not change any law. It formally recognizes the City of Brookhaven, the City of Brunswick, Bryan County, the City of Cedartown, the City of Cochran, the City of Covington, the City of Douglas, the City of Dublin, the City of Gainesville, Gwinnett County, the City of Lawrenceville, Oconee County, the City of Sugar Hill, and the City of Woodstock as Georgia PlanFirst communities. The resolution notes that 2026 marks the 36th anniversary of the Georgia Planning Act, which requires coordinated planning by local governments. It explains that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs runs the PlanFirst program to recognize communities with a strong record of comprehensive plan development and implementation. The Senate directs its Secretary to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.

• Formally honors fourteen named Georgia cities and counties for being designated Georgia PlanFirst communities by the Department of Community Affairs.
• States the legislative body's recognition of these communities' planning efforts in connection with the 36th anniversary of the Georgia Planning Act.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial statement of the Senate's position.

The named local governments (Brookhaven, Brunswick, Bryan County, Cedartown, Cochran, Covington, Douglas, Dublin, Gainesville, Gwinnett County, Lawrenceville, Oconee County, Sugar Hill, and Woodstock) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, which administers the PlanFirst program being referenced.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect; it does not change zoning, funding, or planning requirements. Its main practical consequence is a formal, public statement from the Georgia Senate recognizing these communities' planning work.

• The whereas clauses describe the Georgia Planning Act's 36th anniversary and the purpose of the state's PlanFirst recognition program.
• The resolved clause names the fourteen honored cities and counties and states they are recognized for community planning accomplishments.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2026-01-27Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-01-22Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)Primary sponsor
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)

• community planning
• local government
• PlanFirst program
• Georgia Planning Act