GeorgiaHB 15562025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Nicholls, City of; provide new charter

Sponsored By: Angie O'Steen (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

17 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 6 costs, 10 mixed.

Nicholls emergency rules expire after 30 days

During emergencies affecting life, health, property, or public peace, Nicholls can adopt temporary emergency ordinances. The mayor or two councilmembers must call the meeting, and a majority of members present must approve. An ordinance takes effect at adoption or a later stated date and expires after 30 days unless reenacted. Emergency ordinances cannot levy taxes, grant or extend franchises, set utility rates, or authorize borrowing.

Nicholls candidates face residency and fees

Mayor and council candidates must be qualified city voters and have lived in Nicholls for 12 months before election. Both offices have four-year terms, and officials must remain city residents while serving. Councilmembers must also remain qualified city voters and serve until their successors are elected and qualified. The city must publish candidate qualifying fees equal to 3% of the office's total gross salary, including legally authorized supplements.

Nicholls property owners face possible improvement charges

Nicholls can charge property owners for public improvements that border their property. Covered work includes building, rebuilding, widening, or improving public ways, streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, sewers, and utility lines. Unpaid charges are collected under the charter's collection rules. The law sets no charge amount and does not require any particular project.

Nicholls employee dismissal and pay rules

Nicholls city employees can be removed at any time unless a city ordinance provides otherwise. The city manager prepares job and pay plans for council approval. These plans cover employees of the city and its agencies, departments, boards, commissions, and authorities. Once approved, salary ranges can change only through a pay-plan amendment. Elected and appointed city officials are not employees for this pay-plan rule.

Nicholls can tax local property

Nicholls can tax real and personal property within city limits that is subject to state and county taxes. The council sets the tax rate, due date, and payment period by ordinance. Revenue can pay for city services, general-obligation debt, and other public purposes. The charter sets no tax rate or household tax bill.

Nicholls businesses face possible permits and fees

Nicholls City Council can require businesses or professional practices operating in the city to get permits and pay regulatory fees. Fees must be reasonable and allowed by state law. A permit requirement or fee depends on city action. The charter sets no fee amount and does not itself impose a permit requirement.

Nicholls can tax businesses and trades

Nicholls can impose business and occupation taxes and regulatory fees allowed by Georgia law. The city can group businesses, trades, and professions into different tax classes and require permits. After following required procedures, it can revoke permits for failure to comply with city taxes or fees. The charter sets no rates and does not require a particular tax.

Nicholls services can carry local charges

Nicholls can provide water, sewer, drainage, stormwater, garbage collection, and other sanitation and health services. It can set service charges, utility rates, connection fees, and penalties, but the charter sets no prices. The city can charge benefiting property owners special assessments for utility and related public improvements. Unpaid taxes, fees, and assessments can face interest, penalties, liens, and other collection actions.

Nicholls manager faces annual job reviews

The council appoints a city manager for an indefinite term, sets pay, and must rely solely on executive and administrative qualifications. Preferred qualifications are a master's focused on public administration, public affairs, or public policy with two years of specified local-government experience. A bachelor's with five years of experience is another preference; neither path is required. The manager is an at-will employee whom the council can remove at any time by majority vote. The council must review the manager's work every year.

Nicholls organizes departments and staff oversight

The charter creates Administration, Fire, Police, Roads, and Water and Sewer departments; the council can reorganize nonelected offices by ordinance. Unless another rule applies, the council appoints qualified directors, sets their pay, and reviews them annually under city manager supervision. Appointed officers and directors serve at will and face suspension or removal under charter procedures. The council appoints and pays an independent-contractor attorney and appoints a non-councilmember clerk, whose position receives annual review. The clerk keeps records and supervises city hall staff; city officers and employees must obtain surety and fiduciary bonds on terms set by law or ordinance.

Nicholls council faces conflict and oversight rules

Councilmembers cannot vote on or sign city matters in which they have a financial interest. Unless law allows it, they cannot hold another city office or job during their term. After approving a resolution, the council can investigate city affairs, subpoena witnesses, take sworn testimony, and require evidence. Ignoring a lawful investigation order can bring punishment under city ordinance. Except for council inquiries and investigations, councilmembers must work through the manager and cannot order the manager's staff directly.

Nicholls court sets penalties and appeals

Nicholls has a municipal court led by a chief judge, with council-appointed judges who must be at least 21 and legally qualified. Covered offenses can bring up to $1,000 in fines, up to 12 months in jail, or both; lawful alternative sentences are available. Contempt committed in court can bring a fine of up to $200 or up to 10 days in jail. The court can set operating fees, but the charter gives no amounts. People can petition Coffee County Superior Court to review criminal or ordinance-violation decisions under Georgia appeal law.

Nicholls defines mayor duties and pay

The mayor leads council meetings, represents Nicholls, administers oaths, and signs approved city documents. The mayor votes only to break a tie among voting councilmembers. The mayor appoints council officers, committees, and committee chairs; these appointees serve at the mayor's pleasure. The mayor and city manager jointly prepare recommended annual operating and capital budgets. An ordinance sets council pay and expense reimbursement, and mayoral pay is set the same way; no amounts are specified.

Nicholls fills vacancies and mayor absences

A mayoral vacancy is filled by a special election for the remaining term. Council vacancies with at least 12 months left also require special elections under Georgia election rules. With less than 12 months left, remaining councilmembers appoint a replacement by majority vote. The council also chooses a councilmember to act as mayor when it declares the mayor absent, disabled, or suspended. That acting mayor keeps one council vote.

Nicholls gains charter and property powers

The law reincorporates Nicholls as a continuing city, with official boundaries recorded by the clerk and existing lawful operations preserved. Subject to Georgia law, the city can regulate buildings, businesses, animals, traffic, health, safety, planning, and zoning and provide municipal services. It can acquire, sell, lease, and grant rights in property, and take property inside or outside city limits through Georgia condemnation procedures. Giving up an unneeded property interest with no readily measurable value requires a manager's report and council resolution. The manager can transfer small parcels separated by street work to adjoining owners with council authorization when this supports their property's best use.

Nicholls sets citywide nonpartisan election rules

City voters elect all five councilmembers citywide in the same year. The first charter election is the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2029, with elections every four years afterward. Current officeholders finish their elected terms. The mayoral candidate with the most votes wins without needing a majority; the five highest-vote council candidates win seats. Parties cannot hold city-office primaries, and ballots show no party labels.

Nicholls sets budgets and financing safeguards

Nicholls can levy additional taxes and fees allowed by current or future law, but the charter imposes no specific charge. The manager must submit operating and capital budgets at least 90 days before the fiscal year starts. The council must adopt annual budgets and levy taxes sufficient for budgets and reserves; without adoption, current appropriations continue month-to-month. The city can issue general-obligation and revenue bonds, take short-term loans, and make multiyear purchase or lease contracts under state law. An annual independent audit is required, and budget and audit records are public.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Angie O'Steen
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 205 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/27/2026

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 47 • No: 0 • Other: 8

House vote • 3/23/2026

Local Calendar

Yes: 158 • No: 0 • Other: 16

Actions Timeline

House Date Signed by Governor
5/12/2026House
Act 678
5/12/2026
Effective Date
5/12/2026
House Sent to Governor
4/10/2026House
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
3/27/2026Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted
3/27/2026Senate
Senate Read and Referred
3/25/2026Senate
House Committee Favorably Reported
3/23/2026House
House Third Readers
3/23/2026House
House Passed/Adopted
3/23/2026House
House Second Readers
3/19/2026House
House First Readers
3/18/2026House
House Hopper
3/16/2026House

Bill Text

HB 1556/AP* (v4)
PDF

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