Under General Law, can a city change its laws independently of state legislation?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only with state approval
• D. Only with federal approval

Answer: (B)

In General Law, a city’s authority comes directly from the state. General-law municipalities don’t have broad self-rule; their powers and the kinds of laws they can enact are defined and limited by state statutes. Because of that, they can’t independently change or expand their laws beyond what the state authorizes. Any change to their governing powers or new authorities must come from the state legislature (or through actions that the state explicitly allows in statutes). Federal approval isn’t required, and state action is what enables any real change to their legal reach. In contrast, home-rule cities have broader self-governance through their own charters, but that doesn’t apply to General Law municipalities.