Section 28-5-47.1. Legislative intent and purpose

   It is the intent and purpose of the General Assembly in enacting this article:

   (1) To strengthen the partnership between the State of Georgia and local political subdivisions;

   (2) To assist the General Assembly in its consideration of proposed legislation and new and revised state programs containing fiscal requirements affecting local political subdivisions by:

      (A) Requiring the provision of accurate estimates of the fiscal impact upon local political subdivisions of proposed legislation and new and revised state programs; and

      (B) Establishing a mechanism to bring such information to the attention of the members of the General Assembly before the House of Representatives or Senate, respectively, votes on proposed legislation;

   (3) To promote informed and deliberate decisions by the General Assembly on the appropriateness of proposed fiscal impact legislation in any particular instances;

   (4) To improve the quality of state regulations affecting local political subdivisions and the process by which those regulations are developed by:

      (A) Providing that state agencies consult with elected and other officials of local political subdivisions; and

      (B) Requiring that state agencies prepare accurate estimates of the budgetary impact of state regulatory mandates upon local political subdivisions before adopting such regulations.

Code 1981, § 28-5-47.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1995, p. 1189, § .5.