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GeorgiaHB 7632025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority Act; enact

Sponsored By: Lehman Franklin (Republican), Jesse Petrea (Republican), Ron Stephens (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Airport projects can take private property

The authority can ask Bryan County or Richmond Hill to use eminent domain to acquire private property or property rights. The property must be necessary or convenient for the law’s airport purposes. The taking must follow existing condemnation laws. The authority must pay the condemning government for the property, legal expenses, and related costs.

Airport bondholders gain court enforcement rights

Bondholders and trustees can go to court to enforce bond rights and required authority duties, including collecting airport fees. A resolution adopted before bond issuance or a bond trust agreement can limit those enforcement rights. While bonds remain outstanding, changes to the authority cannot impair bondholders’ interests or rights. The law also bars creating a competing public body to the extent that competition harms those interests or rights.

Georgia tax exemption for airport bond investors

Revenue bonds issued under this law are exempt from all taxation within Georgia. Transfers of those bonds and income from them are also exempt. Investors’ savings depend on their holdings and tax situation; the law states no dollar amount.

Airport users get operating insurance protections

Before opening an airport or landing field, the authority must set operating rules and obtain sufficient aviation liability insurance. It must keep that insurance throughout operations. Operations must also follow applicable federal and state transportation grant requirements. The law sets no insurance coverage amount.

Airport borrowing shields local taxpayers from repayment

The authority can issue project revenue bonds lasting up to 30 years, repaid only from a designated special fund. These bonds are not city or county debt, and neither government must levy taxes or budget money to repay them. The authority can pledge fees, revenues, and surplus-property sale proceeds, using a trustee and repayment fund to manage bond payments. It can issue replacement financing to repay outstanding bonds and accrued interest. All money received, including bonds, grants, and fees, must be held as trust funds and used only as the law allows.

Airport fees come with fair-access rules

The authority can set, change, and collect charges for airport services, facilities, goods, leases, and concessions. Airport users and tenants can face these costs, but the law sets no prices. Fees and rents must make each airport as self-supporting as practical. Public use must remain reasonable and free from unjust discrimination, including for commercial aviation activities. Charges and access rules must also follow applicable airport grant agreements.

New local authority manages airport development

The law creates the Richmond Hill–Bryan County Airport Authority to build, own, run, improve, lease, and sell public-use airports. It can hire staff, make contracts, and accept grants and loans; acting outside Bryan County requires both local governments’ approval. Its 11-member board has seven city/county appointees and four legislative-delegation appointees, with an initial meeting required by April 30, 2026. The board follows open-meetings law, and members must receive repayment for actual, reasonable, necessary work expenses. Bryan County and Richmond Hill can also set member pay; the law names no airport project, project cost, or pay amount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Lehman Franklin

    Republican • House

  • Jesse Petrea

    Republican • House

  • Ron Stephens

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 223 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 53 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/25/2025

Local Calendar

Yes: 170 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/1/2025House

  2. Act 61

    5/1/2025

  3. Effective Date

    5/1/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/9/2025House

  5. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/28/2025Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/28/2025Senate

  7. Senate Read and Referred

    3/27/2025Senate

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/25/2025House

  9. House Third Readers

    3/25/2025House

  10. House Passed/Adopted

    3/25/2025House

  11. House Second Readers

    3/18/2025House

  12. House First Readers

    3/13/2025House

  13. House Hopper

    3/11/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 763/AP* (v4)

    PDF

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