Georgia Assembly revises municipal deannexation procedures in House Bill 521

On February 19, 2025, the Georgia House of Representatives introduced House Bill 521, aimed at amending the procedures for municipal deannexation within the state. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Anderson, LaHood, Leverett, Cannon, Kelley, and others, seeks to streamline the process by which municipalities can remove certain properties from their corporate limits.

The primary provision of House Bill 521 allows the governing authority of a municipality to deannex areas upon receiving written applications from all landowners of the proposed deannexed land, with the exception of public streets and rights of way. Notably, the bill limits the number of parcels that can be deannexed in a single application to ten, which is a significant procedural change aimed at simplifying the deannexation process.

The introduction of this bill has sparked discussions among lawmakers regarding its implications for local governance and property rights. Proponents argue that the bill will provide municipalities with greater flexibility to manage their boundaries and respond to the needs of their communities. However, some opposition has emerged, with critics expressing concerns that the bill could lead to fragmentation of municipal services and potential inequities in property management.

Economically, the bill could have implications for property values and local tax revenues, as deannexation may affect the distribution of resources and services within municipalities. Socially, the bill raises questions about community identity and the potential impact on residents who may find themselves in newly deannexed areas.

As the legislative process unfolds, experts suggest that the bill's passage could set a precedent for how municipalities in Georgia manage their boundaries in the future. The next steps will involve committee reviews and potential amendments, as lawmakers continue to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this significant legislative proposal.