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Staff briefs commissioners on state bills affecting DeKalb County priorities

DeKalb County Operations Committee · July 15, 2025

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Summary

County staff reviewed a list of state bills that were introduced but did not pass or remain pending — subjects include county authority on marijuana possession, Medicaid expansion, data center disclosures, election procedure changes, tenant protections and local ethics board rules — and noted several items could be revisited next session.

DeKalb County staff provided an overview of state legislation introduced this session that is relevant to the county’s legislative agenda and to pending priorities at the state Capitol.

Staff identified multiple House and Senate bills that were introduced but either did not pass or remain pending. Items discussed included: HB16 (Workhouse Worker Protection) pending in House Industry & Labor; HB41 (county authority to adopt ordinances on possession of one ounce or less of marijuana) pending in House Judiciary Non‑Civil; HB97 (Medicaid expansion) and uncertainty given federal developments; HB528 (data center disclosure reports on water and energy use); HB561 (Okefenokee Protection Act) and related court action; HB687 (junk fee disclosure); HB688 (service of process by certified mail); HB901 (countywide polling places); and several Senate bills including SB53 (safe firearm storage), SB102 (prohibit dog fighting/gamecock fighting), SB272 (landlord/tenant habitability and tenant protections) and SB358 (local bill addressing DeKalb County Ethics Board complaint filing procedures).

Staff said some bills might be refiled or revised for next session and noted ongoing conversations with legislative delegates and study committees (for example, a blue‑ribbon study committee on elections). Commissioners asked about opportunities to coordinate with other counties and to refine bill language for broader acceptance.

No committee votes were required; staff was asked to circulate draft language where requested and to return with any recommended proposal edits.