Summary — SJ 47: Study resolution on the creation or alteration of local government entities
Status: Joint resolution — Died in House Standing Committee (Local Government) on 2025-05-23
Introduced: Senate April 17, 2025 (drafters assigned Dec 15, 2024)
Related: Replaces LC 4138
Purpose and intent
SJ 47 is a study resolution directing the Legislature (or an interim/legislative study group) to examine issues related to the creation, alteration, consolidation, annexation, or dissolution of local government entities (cities, towns, counties and potentially special districts). Its stated aim is to review current laws, procedures and fiscal consequences and to develop recommendations for legislative or administrative changes to improve clarity, efficiency, and public accountability in local government boundary and governance changes.
Likely scope and key topics (based on title and classification)
The bill text is not included in the provided record. Typical components of a study resolution of this kind would include:
- Definition of the study’s scope (types of entities and actions to be reviewed: incorporations, boundary changes, mergers, dissolutions, reorganizations).
- Identification of legal, fiscal, administrative and public-notice processes currently governing such actions.
- Analysis of fiscal impacts on local and state budgets (tax base, service delivery, debt allocation).
- Evaluation of governance and service implications (representation, service equity, intergovernmental coordination).
- Assessment of statutory barriers, conflicting procedures, or gaps in current law.
- Solicitation of stakeholder input (local governments, residents, special districts, state agencies).
- Requirement for a written report with findings and recommended statutory or policy changes by a specified deadline.
Who would be affected
If implemented as a study, direct effects would be informational and procedural: state legislative committees, municipal and county officials, special districts, state agencies that oversee local government processes, advocacy groups, and residents in impacted jurisdictions. Because this is a study resolution (not an enactment of law), it would not itself change any legal authority or boundaries.
Legislative history and procedural timeline
- Drafting began Dec 15, 2024 (LC drafter assigned). Drafting milestones occurred through April 2025.
- Introduced in the Senate and first read on 2025-04-17; referred to Senate Local Government; hearing held April 17.
- Committee passed the resolution and it passed 2nd and 3rd readings in the Senate on 2025-04-28 and 2025-04-29; transmitted to the House the same day.
- House first reading and referral to House Local Government on 2025-04-29; a House committee hearing occurred 2025-04-30, a hearing was later canceled on 2025-05-17.
- The resolution died in the House Local Government Standing Committee on 2025-05-23 and therefore produced no legislative mandate or final report.
Notes
- As a joint resolution authorizing a study, SJ 47—if passed—would have been non-binding policy analysis intended to inform future legislation. Because it died in committee, no formal study or legislative changes resulted from this measure.
- For exact language and any deliverables the resolution would have required, consult the bill text (not provided here) or the related replacement draft LC 4138.
