---
title: O.C.G.A. § 22-1-11. Determination of authority to exercise public domain.
collection: code
id: 22-1-11
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 22-1-11 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/22-1-11
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/22-1-11.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/22-1-11/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t22-t23-(v19)-2020-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=a1dfc71e_0#page=46
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: EMINENT DOMAIN / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 22-1-11. Determination of authority to exercise public domain.

Before the vesting of title in the condemnor and upon motion of the condemnee, or within ten days of the entry of the special master’s award by entry of exception to the case, the court shall determine whether the exercise of the power of eminent domain is for a public use and whether the condemning authority has the legal authority to exercise the power of eminent domain and may stay other proceedings of the condemnation pending the decision of the court. The condemning authority shall bear the burden of proof by the evidence presented that the condemnation is for a public use as defined in Code Section 22-1-1. Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require the condemnee to seek or obtain a special master’s award prior to a hearing or decision by the court under this Code section.

## History

Code 1981, § 22-1-11, enacted by Ga. L. 2006, p. 39, § 5/HB 1313.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2006, p. 39, § 1/HB 1313, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: ‘‘This Act shall be known and may be cited as ‘The Landowner’s Bill of Rights and Private Property Protection Act.’’’

Ga. L. 2006, p. 39, § 25/HB 1313, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section shall apply to those condemnation proceedings filed on or after February 9, 2006, where title has not vested in the condemning authority unless constitutionally prohibited.

## Law Reviews

For article on 2006 enactment of this Code section, see 23 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 157 (2006).