GeorgiaHB 15672025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Quitman, City of; transfer of all legal rights, privileges, and assets to Brooks County; provide

Sponsored By: Chas Cannon (Republican), Robert Dickey (Republican), Jaclyn Ford (Republican), John LaHood (Republican), Darlene Taylor (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 4 costs, 4 mixed.

Quitman workers lack guaranteed county jobs

When county takeover takes effect, Brooks County does not have to retain Quitman city or city-authority employees. The county decides whether to keep those workers. The law does not require layoffs or promise severance or replacement jobs.

District taxpayers must cover Quitman debt

An approved charter must create tax districts within former government boundaries to retire outstanding bonded debt, including Quitman's utility-authority obligations. Under county takeover, Quitman's bonded debt becomes a Quitman Services District obligation, with Brooks County succeeding to bond-related responsibilities. The county must levy district taxes, fees, or assessments for bonded debt and amounts owed to Georgia's municipal electric and gas authorities. It also assumes other unfinished city contracts for the district, except separately covered debts, and can levy charges when transferred resources fall short. A district tax is required as needed for specified utility-authority or other debt-provider contracts; the law sets no rates or household amounts.

County takes over Quitman service authority

When county takeover takes effect, Brooks County gains authority to provide all government services within Quitman's former boundaries. This includes electricity and natural gas. City and city-authority permits and licenses transfer to the county as far as federal and state law allow. The county takes over related utility rights, contracts, bonds, and duties as legally allowed, and county ordinances apply. Rights already legally secured before the takeover remain protected; the law does not set utility prices.

Merger protects schools and retirement rights

An adopted charter cannot change the Brooks County School System's or Board of Education's status or powers. It cannot reduce pension or retirement rights. It also cannot abolish the sheriff, court clerk, probate judge, or tax commissioner offices.

Local commission studies government merger

After both areas approve the first vote, a nine-member commission starts December 1, 2026; appointments are due within 30 days. Quitman appoints two members, Brooks County four, state senators one, state representatives one, and the sheriff one. Members must be at least 21, have five years of Georgia residency, and two years of Brooks County voter registration. They must meet local residency rules and cannot hold another elected office. The commission must hold public hearings, publish its findings, and file any proposed charter by August 31, 2027, unless extended by local resolution or court review. Local officials must provide requested help, records, and testimony, except legally confidential or privileged information.

Quitman zoning stays during county handoff

When county takeover takes effect, Quitman's zoning and land-use rules become county ordinances within the Quitman Services District. They remain in force until Brooks County adopts rules covering district properties. The law itself does not change specific property permissions or set housing costs.

City creditors face limits on repayment

Under county takeover, Brooks County, Georgia, and other state political subdivisions generally do not owe Quitman's existing liabilities. This covers city and city-authority obligations accrued through the takeover date. Exceptions preserve responsibility for bonded debt and other obligations specifically covered by the law. People seeking payment cannot assume these governments are responsible for every city debt.

Local governments fund merger planning costs

After both areas approve the first vote, Quitman and Brooks County split commission costs equally beginning December 1, 2026. The law provides initial appropriations of up to $5,000; additional equal funding requires both governments' approval. Members serve without pay but can receive expense reimbursements; staff can be paid, and outside gifts and grants are allowed. Brooks County must extend its public-official liability coverage to the commission and related personnel, with added premiums split equally. Local governments, including any successor unified government, must fund covered legal defense costs for commission members and the charter.

County takeover ends separate Quitman government

The law's separate county-takeover rules, called Part 3, repeal Quitman's city charter and create a Quitman Services District within its former limits. Quitman-created authorities end; joint authorities continue without Quitman, and ended authorities' assets and debts follow the city transfer rules. Section 4-2(c) sets May 31, 2027, when charter planning does not start, unless the State Auditor certifies audit compliance for 2018–2023. Its next branch sets June 30, 2027, when the earlier certification requirements are met, unless compliance is certified for all fiscal years since 2017. Its rejected-charter branch sets January 1, 2028, unless compliance is certified for all fiscal years since 2017. These branches remain subject to the Section 2-10 exception; required certification is due at least 30 days before the applicable date. Brooks County can end the district by resolution after its stated purposes are completed.

Quitman court cases move to county

When county takeover takes effect, pending Quitman Municipal Court cases automatically move to Brooks County Magistrate Court or another qualified county court. Pending city-ordinance prosecutions continue, and the county can enforce the ordinance for those violations. People in city custody can move to the sheriff's office or another appropriate law-enforcement agency without a new penalty. Quitman also stops being a proper party in other Georgia court actions.

Quitman voters decide on unified government

The law requires a consolidation vote on November 3, 2026, with Quitman and Brooks County splitting election costs equally. A majority in both Quitman and unincorporated Brooks County must approve before charter planning starts December 1, 2026. Barwick, Pavo, and Morven are excluded. Any proposed charter faces another vote by November 2, 2027, again requiring separate majorities in both areas. The existing governing bodies end only after charter approval and the new elected leaders take office.

Quitman money shifts with spending safeguards

An approved unified government receives merged governments' assets and rights automatically; under county takeover, Quitman's assets and records pass to Brooks County. Contracts still requiring performance follow separate rules. City general funds must stay set aside for district services, while special and utility-business funds keep their designated purposes. Resources the county considers excess to district needs must pay city obligations and retire debt. Brooks County receives Quitman's project sales-tax share and must finish voter-approved projects or abandon them under state law; it can replace Quitman in an approved tax-sharing agreement. Quitman's general local sales-tax share is divided among the county and qualified municipalities under state law, without setting a new household tax rate.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 202 • No: 181

House vote • 4/2/2026

Remove from Local Cal/Vote Separately

Yes: 75 • No: 97 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 31 • No: 16 • Other: 6

House vote • 3/25/2026

Supplemental Local Calendar

Yes: 96 • No: 68 • Other: 8

Actions Timeline

House Date Signed by Governor
5/12/2026House
Act 681
5/12/2026
Effective Date
5/12/2026
House Sent to Governor
4/10/2026House
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
4/2/2026House
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/31/2026Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/31/2026Senate
Senate Read and Referred
3/27/2026Senate
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/25/2026House
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
3/25/2026House
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/25/2026House
House Third Readers
3/25/2026House
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/25/2026House
House Second Readers
3/20/2026House
House First Readers
3/19/2026House
House Hopper
3/18/2026House

Bill Text

HB 1567/AP* (v12)
PDF

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