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Senate narrowly approves bill letting property owners sue local governments over 'non‑enforcement' policies after fierce debate
Summary
The Senate passed House Bill 295, which allows property owners to file claims and sue local governments for documented expenses or property‑value loss tied to policies the bill characterizes as failures to enforce local laws (including alleged sanctuary policies or illegal camping). Supporters say it enforces accountability; opponents warned of litigation floodgates and fiscal strain.
The Georgia Senate approved House Bill 295 after hours of floor debate that exposed sharp divisions over local enforcement, immigration cooperation and how to hold governments accountable. The bill creates a process by which a real‑property owner may submit a written claim to a local government for documented expenses or an alleged reduction in fair market value caused by a local policy of non‑enforcement of certain offenses (for example, illegal camping, panhandling, or an asserted sanctuary policy). If a local authority fails to act within 30 days the owner may seek judicial relief; the bill also contains a provision waiving sovereign immunity for local governments and officials for violations arising from the statute.
Sen…
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