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GeorgiaHB 15592025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Palmetto, City of; qualifications, terms, powers, and duties of mayor, councilmembers, and city manager; revise provisions

Sponsored By: Robert Dawson (Democrat), Lydia Glaize (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Palmetto sets rules for elected leaders

Palmetto mayor and council candidates must meet state voting qualifications for electing General Assembly members. They must have lived in Palmetto for the year before the election and owe no debt to the city. The mayor and councilmembers serve four-year terms and stay until their successors are elected and qualified. Three council seats are elected at one municipal general election, and the other three at the next. The council must declare the mayor's office vacant after a post-election court conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude. This applies to the mayor or mayor-elect, and the charter's vacancy process then applies.

Palmetto allows manager office with job protections

Palmetto's mayor and council can create a city manager office, but the law does not require it. Appointment requires a majority council vote, and charter references to the city administrator now mean city manager. Selection must rest solely on executive, educational, and administrative qualifications. Palmetto residency is not required, and the manager need not live in Georgia when appointed. The mayor and councilmembers cannot serve as manager. The manager serves at the mayor and council's pleasure; removal requires a majority council vote unless a contract sets different terms. Pay is set by contract and cannot be cut during its term without consent, except during suspension or removal. The mayor and council can increase pay by majority vote and amend the contract.

Palmetto assigns department and staffing powers

The city manager heads city administration under the mayor and council's policy direction and supervision. The manager runs departments, enforces laws and the charter, and appoints, suspends, or removes employees under law and personnel rules. Authorized staffing duties can be delegated; employees serving exclusively at the mayor's or council's pleasure are excluded. Department-head appointments require confirmation by a majority vote of the mayor and council. The manager attends mayor and council meetings, participates without voting, and skips closed sessions about the manager's appointment, discipline, or removal. The manager prepares annual operating and capital budgets, annual financial reports, and updates on city finances and needs. The manager also advises city leaders, helps develop long-term goals, and supports regional cooperation and public policy partnerships. The mayor and council can create departments by ordinance, setting staffing, pay, rules, authority, and duties consistent with the charter and Georgia law.

Palmetto defines mayor powers and veto limits

The mayor is Palmetto's chief spokesperson and council chair, overseeing city affairs, funds, records, reports, and order. The mayor ensures the charter and ordinances are carried out and informs and advises the council. The mayor can call extra meetings and appoint council committees with council approval, serving as a member by office. The mayor signs ordinances, resolutions, deeds, bonds, and contracts, subject to required council approval. The mayor generally votes only to break ties or when law or the charter allows. Adopted ordinances must be returned to the clerk within 10 calendar days after the mayor receives them. Approved ordinances become law upon return; those neither approved nor vetoed become law at noon on the tenth calendar day after adoption. A veto requires written reasons, and at least five councilmembers can override it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Robert Dawson

    Democrat • House

  • Lydia Glaize

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 213 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 5

House vote • 3/25/2026

Local Calendar

Yes: 164 • No: 0 • Other: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/11/2026House

  2. Act 594

    5/11/2026

  3. Effective Date

    5/11/2026

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026House

  5. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    4/2/2026Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    4/2/2026Senate

  7. Senate Read and Referred

    3/27/2026Senate

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/25/2026House

  9. House Third Readers

    3/25/2026House

  10. House Passed/Adopted

    3/25/2026House

  11. House Second Readers

    3/19/2026House

  12. House First Readers

    3/18/2026House

  13. House Hopper

    3/16/2026House

Bill Text

  • HB 1559/AP* (v4)

    PDF

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