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GeorgiaSB 5672025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

"Ellaville-Schley County Parks and Recreation Authority Act"; enact

Sponsored By: Ed Harbison (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.

Public oversight of local parks money

The authority must adopt an itemized budget and capital and operating work plan by December 31, effective January 1. Its fiscal year runs July 1–June 30, and its budget must balance at each fiscal year-end. Annual independent audits must follow national standards and be available for public review. Meetings and records are public as required by state law, and all money must serve uses allowed by this act. Board members receive no pay, but available funds can repay actual and necessary expenses from their duties. Members generally cannot hold financial interests in authority contracts, work, or property deals. A permitted interest requires recorded disclosure, absence from discussion, and no role in the decision. The authority determines whether the interest can reasonably produce a direct financial benefit for the member.

Limits on claims against parks authority

The authority has Georgia's protections against negligence and other tort claims. Officers, agents, and employees have their state counterparts' protections while doing authority work. The authority can still be sued over contracts like a private corporation, with cases heard in Schley County Superior Court. Its property generally cannot be seized and sold to pay legal claims unless it agreed by contract to allow that.

New parks services for Schley County

The law creates the Ellaville-Schley County Parks and Recreation Authority, operating only in Schley County, including Ellaville. It becomes active July 1, 2026, and must start recreation services by January 1, 2027. Initial board appointments are due July 1, 2026: two county appointees, two city appointees, and one joint appointee. Members generally must be at least 21, have lived in the county for two years, and remain county residents. Initial terms are staggered; later terms last two years. The authority can build and run parks, pools, trails, sports facilities, and recreation programs, and charge users fees or rent. It can buy, lease, improve, sell, or receive property and accept gifts and grants, including federal grants. It can hire workers, set pay and work terms, or contract for staff and professional services. Contracted staff must follow its rules on services and pay.

Parks assets transfer with existing claims

Upon dissolution, the authority's property transfers only after all debt principal and interest are paid. Applicable deed terms determine who receives the property. Without those terms, property goes to Schley County and Ellaville under any existing intergovernmental agreement. Transfers to the county and city remain subject to liens, leases, and other claims against the property.

County and city must fund parks

Schley County and Ellaville must fund the authority through an agreement covering funding and daily operating needs. The law sets no funding amount. The authority can also lend money or extend credit to government bodies for project planning, design, construction, or purchase. It sets reasonable terms and can secure repayment through property, agreements, fees, or charges.

Parks property gets a tax exemption

Covered property acquired by or under the authority's control is exempt from taxes and assessments. The exemption also covers operating and maintaining that property, plus income from fees, rents, and other charges. Sales and use taxes still apply to property bought by or for the authority. Exempting covered property can reduce the local property tax base.

Tax-free parks bonds with repayment limits

The authority can issue revenue bonds and other debt to finance projects or refinance obligations under Georgia's revenue bond law. The bonds and their income are exempt from Georgia taxes; the law does not establish a federal tax exemption. Debt is payable only from authority rents, revenues, earnings, and funds, without pledging state, county, or city credit. A government agreeing to make contract payments from taxes must collect enough taxes each year. Such payments are mandatory general obligations of the agreeing government, despite the act's constitutional-debt exclusion. The authority can pledge property or income as security, with foreclosure governed by its contracts; Georgia waives rights to block it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ed Harbison

    Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Mike Cheokas

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 209 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2026

Local Calendar

Yes: 164 • No: 0 • Other: 12

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2026Senate

  2. Act 699

    5/12/2026

  3. Effective Date

    5/12/2026

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/25/2026House

  6. House Third Readers

    3/25/2026House

  7. House Passed/Adopted

    3/25/2026House

  8. House Second Readers

    3/6/2026House

  9. House First Readers

    3/4/2026House

  10. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/3/2026Senate

  11. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/3/2026Senate

  12. Senate Read and Referred

    2/25/2026Senate

  13. Senate Hopper

    2/24/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 567/AP* (v6)

    PDF

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