GeorgiaHB 15782025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Arcade, Town of; municipality; clarify name

Sponsored By: Emory Dunahoo (Republican), Houston Gaines (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Arcade council gets temporary emergency powers

Arcade’s council can pass emergency ordinances when a public emergency affects life, health, property, or public peace. The mayor or two councilmembers must call the meeting. Each ordinance must follow the standard written form, be labeled an emergency ordinance, and declare and describe the emergency. The council can adopt it at that meeting, with or without changes, or reject it. It takes effect upon adoption or at a later time it sets. It cannot levy taxes, grant, renew, or extend a franchise, or regulate public utility rates. Borrowing is allowed only for loans repayable within the period specified in the ordinance. Each ordinance ends 30 days after adoption unless the council reenacts it while the emergency continues. The council can also repeal it through the same process.

Arcade updates city leadership and veto rules

The law replaces Town of Arcade with City of Arcade in the charter and replaces references to journals with minutes. The council must hold an organizational meeting on the second Monday of January following a municipal election. Newly elected mayors and councilmembers must take a standard oath to faithfully perform their duties. The oath also requires support and defense of the charter and Georgia and U.S. laws. Proposed ordinances must be introduced in writing, ready for final adoption, and cover only subjects stated in their titles. The mayor chairs meetings, votes on council matters, and serves as the city’s official spokesperson and chief policy advocate. The mayor also represents the city for ceremonies and receipt of legal papers, administers oaths, and takes affidavits. The mayor signs contracts, ordinances, and other documents that legally require writing. The mayor prepares and submits annual operating and capital budgets and performs duties the council assigns by ordinance. Within 96 hours after a meeting ends, the clerk must send the mayor draft minutes and adopted ordinances, resolutions, and actions. Within seven days of receipt, the mayor must return them with signed approval or a veto with written reasons. The mayor can veto measures and reject or reduce individual spending items. Four councilmembers can override a veto, but the measure cannot take effect until at least 15 days after final passage. Emergency ordinances and spending for audits or investigations of the executive branch are protected from mayoral veto. The law also repeals conflicting laws.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 209 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 7

House vote • 3/25/2026

Local Calendar

Yes: 164 • No: 0 • Other: 12

Actions Timeline

House Date Signed by Governor
5/11/2026House
Act 604
5/11/2026
Effective Date
5/11/2026
House Sent to Governor
4/7/2026House
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
3/31/2026Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted
3/31/2026Senate
Senate Read and Referred
3/27/2026Senate
House Committee Favorably Reported
3/25/2026House
House Third Readers
3/25/2026House
House Passed/Adopted
3/25/2026House
House Second Readers
3/20/2026House
House First Readers
3/19/2026House
House Hopper
3/18/2026House

Bill Text

HB 1578/AP* (v4)
PDF

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