# Georgia HB 592: Cleveland, City of; provide new charter Georgia HB 592, Cleveland, City of; provide new charter, is a 2025-2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Stan Gunter (Republican), Will Wade (Republican); status signed, last action 2025-05-13 (House Date Signed by Governor) (as of 2026-10-19). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-HB592-2025-2026 - As of: 2026-10-19 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Georgia HB 592 - State: Georgia - Session: 2025-2026 Regular Session - Title: Cleveland, City of; provide new charter - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2025-02-21 - Last action: 2025-05-13, House Date Signed by Governor - Sponsors: Stan Gunter (Republican), Will Wade (Republican) - Cosponsors: 0 - Subjects: Intragovernmental Coordination, State and Local Governmental Operations, Local Bill - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 2 (212 yes, 1 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 29 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Cleveland establishes court and review rights: benefit, low. The law establishes Cleveland Municipal Court, with a chief judge appointed by the council. Judges must be at least 21 and meet legal qualifications; ordinances set pay and can provide additional judges. The charter and applicable law govern judges' terms, removal, and oath. People can petition Whi… - Adjacent owners get city land opportunities: benefit, low. Cleveland can sell or lease city property and grant rights to use it. Small parcels cut off by public projects can be sold to adjoining owners without an advertised public sale. Such sales must support the best use of adjoining property; every bordering owner must receive notice and a buying opport… - Cleveland fills vacancies and removes misconduct: benefit, low. The council fills mayoral or council vacancies by appointment when less than six months remain in the term. With six months or more remaining, a special election fills the vacancy. The same timing rule applies to temporary vacancies caused by suspension. A mayor or councilmember loses office after… - Cleveland keeps temporary city leadership available: benefit, low. The council can appoint the mayor as acting manager during a manager's absence, disability, or vacancy. If the mayor cannot serve, a councilmember can act for no more than six months. Acting managers take an oath, need no fidelity bond, keep their elected powers, and receive no manager salary. The… - Cleveland officials face conflict safeguards: benefit, low. City officials and employees cannot misuse city property or confidential information, accept certain valuable gifts, or pursue conflicting work. They cannot represent private interests against the city or take part in city contracts in which they have financial interests. Financial interests must b… - Cleveland must budget before spending money: benefit, low. The manager must submit operating and capital budgets at least 30 days before the fiscal year, including recommended project financing. Council must adopt final budgets by June 30 each year. Operating budgets must cover legally required spending and debt service; fund appropriations cannot exceed e… - Cleveland court sets fines and fees: cost, medium. For offenses within its jurisdiction, Cleveland Municipal Court can impose fines up to $1,000, jail up to 180 days, or both. Contempt in the court's presence can bring up to 10 days in jail and a fine allowed by law. The court can set fees to cover operating costs; the charter sets no fee amounts.… - Missed Cleveland court appearances risk bail: cost, medium. Cleveland Municipal Court can set bail and accept cash, personal property, or real property as security. If a defendant misses the required appearance, the judge can forfeit cash or place a lien on deposited property. For bond forfeiture, defendants and people guaranteeing the bond must receive the… - Cleveland employees serve without job guarantees: cost, medium. Cleveland city employees serve at will and can be removed at any time unless a city ordinance provides otherwise. This employee rule excludes elected and appointed officers. The provision sets no pay change. - Unpaid Cleveland bills face collection penalties: cost, medium. People and businesses owing overdue Cleveland taxes or fees can face interest, late penalties, property liens, or permit loss. Council sets reasonable collection rules by ordinance, within legal limits. The city can collect unpaid amounts as personal debts and issue, enforce, assign, or transfer ta… - Cleveland can charge for utility services: cost, low. Cleveland can set utility and sanitation charges, fees, taxes, and connection charges, with ordinances where required. Covered services include garbage, trash, and sewer service. The city can also charge fees, assessments, and tolls for services provided or made available inside or outside city lim… - Nearby owners can pay improvement costs: cost, low. Cleveland can charge owners whose property borders a public improvement for its construction, rebuilding, widening, or improvement costs. Covered projects include streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, sewers, utility mains, and related parts. Unpaid charges can go through the city's overdue-revenue c… - Cleveland officials face city job limits: cost, low. The mayor and councilmembers generally cannot hold another city office or city job during their elected terms, unless law allows it. Former mayors and councilmembers must wait one year after their elected terms end before taking appointed city offices. City employees must leave city employment when… - Cleveland property owners face tax rules: cost, low. Cleveland can tax real and personal property within city limits that is subject to state and county taxation. Council sets the property tax rate, due date, and payment period by ordinance; the charter sets no rate. Revenue can fund city operations, services, general-obligation debt payments, and ot… - Cleveland businesses can face permit fees: cost, low. Cleveland can require businesses and professional activities to obtain permits and pay reasonable regulatory fees. Ordinances must establish the requirements and follow general law. Fees must reflect the city's total cost of regulating the activity. The charter does not identify covered activities… - Cleveland can tax businesses and professions: cost, low. Cleveland's council can create business, occupation, and professional taxes by ordinance, as allowed by law. It can group businesses and professions into lawful tax classes. The charter sets no rate, amount, or start date for a specific tax. - Cleveland can levy taxes for services: cost, low. Cleveland can collect property taxes and other taxes and fees allowed by current or future Georgia law. Property owners must file annual sworn property returns from January 1 through April 1, using fair market value. Council must set tax rates estimated to cover yearly spending, counting other inco… - Cleveland can tax providers' street use: cost, low. Cleveland can tax covered providers' gross receipts from using city streets and alleys when no franchise agreement is in effect. Covered providers include utility, telecommunications, railroad, and transportation companies. The law sets no tax rate and does not directly tax households. Customer pri… - Cleveland sets election and candidate rules: mixed, low. Citywide voters elect the mayor and one councilmember from each of four districts, all for four-year terms. Elections occur every odd-numbered year on the Tuesday after November's first Monday; the mayor and two council seats alternate with the other two seats. Candidates must be at least 21 and ha… - Residents can inspect Cleveland city records: mixed, low. Cleveland must appoint a clerk who is not a councilmember to keep city records and record council proceedings. The clerk collects city revenue unless assigned elsewhere and must open the clerk's books to residents upon request. Cleveland must organize and promptly publish its ordinances and charter… - Cleveland can remove fire hazard buildings: mixed, low. Cleveland can organize, operate, and equip a paid or volunteer fire department and adopt fire-safety rules. Under Georgia law, the city can condemn and require removal of buildings that are or may become fire hazards. - Cleveland council can compel investigation evidence: mixed, low. After approving a resolution, the council can investigate city affairs and the conduct of departments, offices, and agencies. It can subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and require evidence. People who disobey lawful orders can face penalties set by city ordinance. The charter set… - Cleveland elections and lawmaking follow limits: mixed, low. Cleveland city elections have no party primaries or party labels on ballots. The mayor votes on council questions only to break a tie. Ordinances and resolutions require mayoral approval, but council can override a refusal by majority vote. The mayor must file reasons for refusal within three days… - Cleveland gets a new city charter: mixed, low. The law reincorporates Cleveland in White County as a continuing legal city. Cleveland can make local rules about health, safety, buildings, businesses, zoning, and public conduct. These powers must follow the charter, Georgia Constitution, and state law. The city receives the former city's propert… - Cleveland leaders control city staffing: mixed, low. The law replaces Cleveland's 2013 charter and all its amendments. The mayor and council can create, close, combine, change, or leave vacant nonelected offices and departments. They retain control over specified officials and department heads, including hiring, supervision, removal, pay, and benefit… - Cleveland sets city manager job rules: mixed, low. The council can appoint a city manager for an indefinite term based only on executive and administrative qualifications, and set pay. Before taking office, the manager must provide a fidelity bond of at least $100,000; city funds pay its cost. An appointed manager directs departments, prepares annu… - Cleveland can finance projects and acquire property: mixed, low. Cleveland can manage property, build public improvements and utilities, and condemn property inside or outside city limits under Georgia law. It can issue general-obligation bonds under state limits and revenue bonds repaid from the financed project's income. Cleveland Building Authority facility b… - Cleveland sets official pay and oversight: mixed, low. A mayor and four councilmembers govern Cleveland and can make city rules, set staff pay, and suspend or remove staff. City ordinances set the mayor's and councilmembers' pay, benefits, and expense reimbursement. The mayor and council can create boards, commissions, and authorities, set their duties… - Street users must compensate Cleveland fairly: mixed, low. Cleveland can grant franchises allowing organizations to use city streets and alleys. Franchise terms can address duration, exclusivity, and compensation. No franchise can last more than 35 years. The city must receive fair and adequate compensation before granting one. ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Stan Gunter (Republican), House - Sponsor: Will Wade (Republican), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-03-10 | Senate | LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR | pass | 43 | 1 | 3 | | 2025-02-27 | House | Local Calendar | pass | 169 | 0 | 5 | ## Actions (13) - 2025-05-13: House Date Signed by Governor (House) - 2025-05-13: Act 151 - 2025-05-13: Effective Date - 2025-04-07: House Sent to Governor (House) - 2025-03-10: Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate) - 2025-03-10: Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate) - 2025-02-28: Senate Read and Referred (Senate) - 2025-02-27: House Committee Favorably Reported (House) - 2025-02-27: House Third Readers (House) - 2025-02-27: House Passed/Adopted (House) - 2025-02-26: House Second Readers (House) - 2025-02-24: House First Readers (House) - 2025-02-21: House Hopper (House) ## Bill text - HB 592/AP* (v4): [PDF](https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/235744) ## Related bills - SB 160: Reckless Stunt Driving; a motor vehicle involved in a second offense of reckless stunt driving; replace the forfeiture penalty (signed) - SB 384: Motor Vehicle; optional five-year motor vehicle registration and revalidation for certain motor vehicles; provide (signed) - SB 76: License Plates; specialty license plate benefitting the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation; establish (signed) - SB 406: "Georgia Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act"; enact (signed) - HB 1391: Specialty license plates; honor public safety officers; establish (signed) - HB 1344: Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act; enact (signed) ## Sources - [HB 592/AP* (v4) (PDF)](https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/235744) ## Related - [SB 160: Reckless Stunt Driving; a motor vehicle involved in a second offense of reckles…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB160-2025-2026) - [SB 384: Motor Vehicle; optional five-year motor vehicle registration and revalidation f…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB384-2025-2026) - [SB 76: License Plates; specialty license plate benefitting the Georgia Veterans Servic…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB76-2025-2026) - [SB 406: "Georgia Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act"; enact](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB406-2025-2026) - [HB 1391: Specialty license plates; honor public safety officers; establish](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-HB1391-2025-2026) - [HB 1344: Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act; enact](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-HB1344-2025-2026) - [Georgia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/georgia/bills) - [Georgia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/georgia) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-HB592-2025-2026 (as of 2026-10-19).