Georgia Constitution Practice Exam

Under Article IX, Section II, Paragraph IV, what authority does the General Assembly have regarding zoning laws?

1. The General Assembly has no authority over local zoning laws.

2. The General Assembly can establish procedures for zoning regulations.

3. Cities must enforce state zoning laws exclusively.

4. Cities may not create their own zoning ordinances.

The correct answer is: The General Assembly can establish procedures for zoning regulations.

The General Assembly's authority concerning zoning laws, as outlined in Article IX, Section II, Paragraph IV of the Georgia Constitution, enables it to set forth procedures for local zoning regulations. This means that while local governments have the power to enact and implement their own zoning laws, the General Assembly can provide a framework or guidelines that govern how these local regulations must be developed and adopted. This aspect emphasizes the balance of power in Georgia's governmental structure, wherein local governments retain considerable autonomy in zoning matters while also being subject to the procedural standards established by the state legislature. Thus, option B reflects the correct interpretation of the General Assembly's role in facilitating a structured approach towards local zoning, allowing cities to create ordinances while also upholding a degree of state oversight. In contrast, the other options misconstrue the relationship between state and local authority regarding zoning, suggesting either a total lack of state involvement or an absolute limitation on local ordinance-making, which goes against the constitutional provisions designed to allow local governance within certain boundaries.