The Georgia House of Representatives passed a measure Wednesday that could allow property owners to sue city and county governments if they fail to enforce state laws related to homelessness, public safety and immigration.
House Bill 295, sponsored by Athens Republican Rep. Houston Gaines, passed with a 98-75 vote, clearing the lower chamber just ahead of a key legislative deadline. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.
The bill targets local governments that may have “pervasive, systemic, or organized” practices that decline to enforce laws against illegal public camping, loitering, drug possession, shoplifting or the state’s ban on “sanctuary policies” that limit cities from working with federal immigration authorities. If cities or counties are found liable, property owners can sue for financial harm from lost property value.
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