House Bill 109

Chair's Name: Austin Scott

Committee: Governmental Affairs

House Sponsor: Ellis Black 

HB 109 deals with consolidated governments in counties which have no incorporated cities. Rep. Black will be offering a Floor Substitute that tailors this bill to fit Echols County. If a county has no incorporated cities and wishes to become a consolidated government, the county governing authority must adopt a unanimous resolution within one calendar year of this bill�s effective date, currently provide certain county services, and notify the Department of Community Affairs. Once the county becomes a consolidated government, it will be considered a municipal corporation for the purposes of the law and no other municipality may be created in or extend into the county.

This bill received a Do Pass recommendation from the Governmental Affairs Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule. 

Chairman Scott�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

Currently Echols County does not have an incorporated city, so it cannot negotiate for franchise fees.  This bill would allow it to be treated as a consolidated government and therefore get these fees.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

The local government�s desire for powers of municipalities in order to provide some services to local community.