O.C.G.A. § 28-5-47.1: Legislative intent and purpose.

It is the intent and purpose of the General Assembly in enacting this article:

(1) To strengthen the partnership between the State of Georgia and local political subdivisions;

(2) To assist the General Assembly in its consideration of proposed legislation and new and revised state programs containing fiscal requirements affecting local political subdivisions by:

(A) Requiring the provision of accurate estimates of the fiscal impact upon local political subdivisions of proposed legislation and new and revised state programs; and

(B) Establishing a mechanism to bring such information to the attention of the members of the General Assembly before the House of Representatives or Senate, respectively, votes on proposed legislation;

(3) To promote informed and deliberate decisions by the General Assembly on the appropriateness of proposed fiscal impact legislation in any particular instances;

(4) To improve the quality of state regulations affecting local political subdivisions and the process by which those regulations are developed by:

(A) Providing that state agencies consult with elected and other officials of local political subdivisions; and

(B) Requiring that state agencies prepare accurate estimates of the budgetary impact of state regulatory mandates upon local political subdivisions before adopting such regulations.