This bill allows property owners, tenants, real estate closing attorneys or potential lenders to request and be provided a statement from the water provider indicating the amount of water charges past due. A response is required from the water supplier within 10 business days of receipt of such request. The failure of a water supplier to provide such statement within 10 business days shall cause any lien for unpaid charges to be extinguished, and, in addition, water suppliers cannot deny water services to the new property owner or tenant.

This legislation, similar to HB 785, would allow for the creation of townships via local legislation with land use, zoning, subdivision, building permit and code enforcement powers, if Georgia voters first approve a statewide referendum approving a constitutional amendment. Companion resolutions, SR 724 and HR 1051, if passed, will call for the statewide referendum to amend the constitution allowing townships to have zoning powers. Townships could levy up to a .5 mill property tax, annex and transition to cityhood. Though counties would have no say in the above decisions, counties must continue to provide all services and infrastructure to the area as they would any unincorporated area. Counties would have an opportunity to comment on township decisions, but nothing is binding or mediated.

This legislation, similar to HR 1051, would ask the voters to approve an amendment to the constitution that would allow the General Assembly create townships with zoning powers. HB 785 and SB 272 establish the procedure to create a township.