In brief
Georgia lawmakers have passed a bill enabling property owners to file claims against local governments if they believe policies against camping and non-cooperation with immigration enforcement are not enforced. Supporters argue it holds cities accountable, while opponents worry it could exacerbate homelessness and lead to frivolous lawsuits. The bill has sparked significant debate over its implications for marginalized communities.
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia lawmakers passed a bill early Friday that would allow property owners to file claims against local governments if the individual believes policies that ban people from sleeping outside and require law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities were not enforced.If Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signs the bill, individuals will be able to demand compensation from local governments amounting to alleged lost property value or expenses incurred because of failure to enforce policies such as bans on public camping, loitering and panhandling, and bans on sanctuary policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.The bill’s sponsor, Athens Republican and U.S. House candidate Rep. Houston Gaines, said it’s important to hold cities accountable for enforcing the law. Business owners and homeowners should not have to spend money because a locality fails to clean up encampments, he added.“Allowing illegal encampments, theft and disorder to flourish is not kindness,” Gaines said. “It’s neglect.”Democrats and homelessness advocates say the bill would cause law enforcement to arrest people because they have nowhere to sleep and spur frivolous lawsuits paid for by taxpayers. They also say lawmakers should invest in housing and resources that could help unhoused people instead of send them to jail, which could hinder them from securing jobs and homes.“This bill is ineffective, cruel, and makes it harder to solve homelessness,” said Jesse Rabinowitz, campaign and communications director with the National Homelessness Law Center. “It’s also a thinly veiled attempt by lawmakers to score cheap political points on the backs of immigrant communities.”Lawmakers added a last-minute amendment that could also let people ask courts to order the local government to follow bans on sanctuary policies. Georgia state Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Democrat, called the bill “nuclear bad policy.” He said if claims go to court, it would be hard to prove whether someone’s property value fell because of unenforced immigration or homelessness policies.“Opponents also noted that local governments aren’t necessarily responsible for who sleeps outside on a given night.”Republicans advanced the bill after a previous attempt failed last year following a tragic incident involving a homeless man. The initiative is regarded as part of broader conservative efforts across the country to implement stricter enforcement of homelessness-related policies.
