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GeorgiaHB 7892025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Oglethorpe, City of; certain hearings of the governing authority; revise provisions

Sponsored By: Patty Marie Stinson (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Oglethorpe sets leadership and vacancy rules

Beginning July 1, 2025, Oglethorpe has new rules for choosing its backup mayor and filling empty city offices. The council elects a mayor pro tem from its members for a one-year term. It must choose at the first regular meeting after newly elected councilmembers take office, or within ten days afterward. Otherwise, the councilmember with the most votes in the last election becomes mayor pro tem. This official handles the mayor’s duties during an absence or inability to act and fills an unexpired mayoral term. The council then elects a new mayor pro tem by majority vote. The mayor pro tem generally needs the mayor’s consent to act for the city. The exception applies when filling the mayor’s office because the prior mayor cannot act. An office becomes vacant after resignation, death, moving outside the city, or four consecutive regular meeting absences without approved leave. Six months of continuous disability or a court finding of incompetence also creates a vacancy. So does conviction for wrongdoing in office, a felony, a charter violation, or a state election-law violation. The mayor and council appoint a qualified replacement for the remaining term. After a tie lasts 15 days, the mayor appoints; for a mayoral vacancy, the mayor pro tem appoints. No more than two appointees may serve at once. With two appointees serving and another vacancy, a special election occurs on the eighth Tuesday after the vacancy. That election selects someone for the remaining term, unless a regular annual election occurs within six months.

Oglethorpe zoning hearings follow state rules

Beginning July 1, 2025, Oglethorpe must follow Georgia’s Zoning Procedures Law for public hearings on zoning decisions. This sets the required hearing process for the city and people taking part. It does not change the zoning decisions themselves.

Oglethorpe creates court with penalties and appeals

Beginning July 1, 2025, Oglethorpe’s municipal court replaces the charter’s framework for the mayor’s or recorder’s court. It hears city charter and ordinance violations, plus other violations allowed by law. For covered offenses, it can impose fines up to $1,000, jail terms up to 180 days, or both. It can also use other sentences allowed by law. For contempt of court, it can impose up to ten days in jail and a fine allowed by law. The court can set fees to cover operating costs; the law does not specify fee amounts. It can set bail and accept cash or personal or real property to help ensure defendants appear. Failure to appear can lead to forfeiture of that security. The court can require evidence, enforce orders, administer oaths, and issue summonses, subpoenas, and warrants. Judges can issue city-ordinance warrants and, like state magistrates, state-law warrants for offenses committed within the city. Parties can petition the Superior Court of Macon County to review criminal and ordinance-violation decisions under Georgia appeal law. Court rules need council approval, must be filed with the city clerk, and must be available to the public. The council appoints a chief judge and other judges as provided by ordinance. Judges must be at least 21 and meet state-law qualifications. Ordinances set their number, work arrangements, pay, and the court’s regular meeting schedule. Judges serve until successors are appointed, with terms and removal governed by general law. Before taking office, judges take an oath administered by the mayor and recorded in city minutes. The court can receive reimbursement for meals, transportation, and care of prisoners sent to superior court for state-law violations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Patty Marie Stinson

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 213 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 5

House vote • 3/27/2025

Local Calendar

Yes: 164 • No: 0 • Other: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Act 230

    5/13/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/7/2025House

  5. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/31/2025Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/31/2025Senate

  7. Senate Read and Referred

    3/28/2025Senate

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/27/2025House

  9. House Third Readers

    3/27/2025House

  10. House Passed/Adopted

    3/27/2025House

  11. House Second Readers

    3/21/2025House

  12. House First Readers

    3/20/2025House

  13. House Hopper

    3/18/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 789/AP* (v4)

    PDF

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