Georgia Cities Granted Leverage: Gov. Kemp Enacts Bill Permitting Charges for Unpermitted Event Costs

DEBARYLIFE – Governor Brian P. Kemp approved Senate Bill 443, enabling local Georgia authorities to hold event promoters accountable. This news was conveyed by Senator Ben Watson of Savannah and Representative Jesse Petrea of Atlanta.

Cities like Tybee Island may lawfully sue organizers of events that are not authorized for damages under the new law, which was purportedly approved on Monday.

“I appreciate Governor Kemp’s support in signing Senate Bill 443 into law,” Sen.

Watson said in a news release from the Senate. The measure focuses on paying for public safety operations, controlling traffic gridlock, and cleaning up after events that don’t require official permits.

With bipartisan backing, Watson underlined the need for this kind of legislation in light of promoters circumventing rules.

Unchecked incidents may force citizens to foot the expense of cleanup and emergency assistance.

In the struggle for stricter accountability, Rep. Petrea reinforced this attitude, saying, according to a Senate Press release, “Promoters of unpermitted events must realize they are liable for any costs incurred due to problematic events they organize.” The goal of this action is to encourage promoters to comply with the law and obtain the necessary licenses.

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Liaising for Tybee Island, Brian West expressed relief as well as gratitude at the law’s passing.

“We welcome visitors and events to our wonderful city and appreciate the backing of Sen. Watson, Rep.

Petrea, the Georgia legislature, and Governor Kemp in providing this legal mechanism for Tybee to address the significant expenses of managing promoter-driven events that bypass the permitting process,” West stated to the press.

He expressed the city’s enthusiasm to welcome events and the security of knowing that they have a backup plan in case the organizers choose not to follow the guidelines.

The announcement of a $4 million windfall for Tybee Island beach renourishment in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, which is awaiting the governor’s approval, is another victory Watson and Petrea have brought home for the local Chatham County Delegation.