Infrastructure

DeKalb County Commissioner Robert Patrick and other commissioners outlined the county’s 2024 legislative priorities in this year’s legislative agenda. Patrick represents District 1, which includes the northern portion of DeKalb.

The Georgia General Assembly’s 2024 session ended March 28, so any bills that were not approved this year must wait until 2025 to get passed.

Patrick’s priorities include the following bills:
Senate Bill 26: Finally, Patrick asked the state to amend O.C.G.A. Section 50-14-1, to authorize all agencies as defined in that code section to hold meetings by teleconference regardless of emergency conditions. SB 26, which permits teleconference meetings for development authorities and community improvement districts, accomplishes that goal. In February, it was approved by the House and Senate and signed into law by the governor.

Municipality-related bills: Patrick supports three proposed bills related to the state’s municipalities. The first, House Bill 813, would repeal O.C.G.A. Section 36-31-11.1(f) regarding the sale of parks. It would allow municipalities to buy parks within the municipality’s territory from the county in which the municipality is located. The bill wasn’t voted on by the House this year but could be brought back up in 2025. Patrick also supports bills that would allow counties to charge a technology fee on certain permitted items and call for the study of revisions to the 60% annexation method.

Housing bills: Patrick requested two pieces of legislation regarding housing issues. The first bill would call for the state to reduce or eliminate the 7-year credit history for residents who were evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the second would establish a statewide eviction resolution program. They are two of several housing-related bills DeKalb’s commissioners asked for. HB 1059, which would establish residential eviction diversion programs for disabled and low-income persons, may fulfill Patrick’s second request, but it was not voted on by the House or Senate this year.

Community service aides: Patrick also requested a bill to give municipalities’ community service aides the ability to handle minor injury and property damage accidents, which would free up first responders to handle more serious cases. A similar law was approved in North Carolina.

Commissioner Robert Patrick’s legislative priorities

September 20, 2024

DeKalb County Commissioner Robert Patrick and other commissioners outlined the county’s 2024 legislative priorities in this year’s legislative agenda. Patrick represents District 1, which includes the northern portion of DeKalb.

The Georgia General Assembly’s 2024 session ended March 28, so any bills that were not approved this year must wait until 2025 to get passed.

Patrick’s priorities include the following bills:
Senate Bill 26: Finally, Patrick asked the state to amend O.C.G.A. Section 50-14-1, to authorize all agencies as defined in that code section to hold meetings by teleconference regardless of emergency conditions. SB 26, which permits teleconference meetings for development authorities and community improvement districts, accomplishes that goal. In February, it was approved by the House and Senate and signed into law by the governor.

Municipality-related bills: Patrick supports three proposed bills related to the state’s municipalities. The first, House Bill 813, would repeal O.C.G.A. Section 36-31-11.1(f) regarding the sale of parks. It would allow municipalities to buy parks within the municipality’s territory from the county in which the municipality is located. The bill wasn’t voted on by the House this year but could be brought back up in 2025. Patrick also supports bills that would allow counties to charge a technology fee on certain permitted items and call for the study of revisions to the 60% annexation method.

Housing bills: Patrick requested two pieces of legislation regarding housing issues. The first bill would call for the state to reduce or eliminate the 7-year credit history for residents who were evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the second would establish a statewide eviction resolution program. They are two of several housing-related bills DeKalb’s commissioners asked for. HB 1059, which would establish residential eviction diversion programs for disabled and low-income persons, may fulfill Patrick’s second request, but it was not voted on by the House or Senate this year.

Community service aides: Patrick also requested a bill to give municipalities’ community service aides the ability to handle minor injury and property damage accidents, which would free up first responders to handle more serious cases. A similar law was approved in North Carolina.

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