Georgia Senate Bill SB337

Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/13/25
• Refer: 3/13/25

Caption

Macon Water Authority Act; electoral districts; change the description

Summary

SB 337 amends the Macon Water Authority Act to redraw the authority’s electoral districts in Macon-Bibb County and update how members are elected. The bill keeps the authority at nine members, with eight elected from newly described districts and one appointed member who must be a member of the Macon-Bibb County governing authority. It also sets out a new election schedule, including staggered terms for the initial elections so that the board transitions into a regular four-year cycle over time. The bill further specifies that the chairperson will be the member elected from District 8, sets salaries for elected members at $15,000 per year and the chairperson at $25,000 per year, and requires the authority to meet at least twice a month. It also provides for continuity of current members until their terms expire and includes detailed district boundary descriptions in an appendix. In effect, the measure is a local governance and redistricting bill for the Macon Water Authority rather than a statewide policy change.

Impact

SB 337 would amend a local act governing the Macon Water Authority, changing the legal description of the authority’s electoral districts and revising provisions on elections, terms, compensation, quorum, chairperson selection, and meeting frequency. It would affect how authority members are chosen in Macon-Bibb County, including the timing of elections in 2025, 2026, and 2028, and would preserve existing officeholders until their terms end. The bill also repeals conflicting laws to the extent they are inconsistent with the revised local act.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears administrative and structural, aimed at updating district lines and board procedures for the Macon Water Authority. The absence of recorded objections or vote history suggests no documented controversy in the supplied record, but that cannot be inferred as unanimous support.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are the redrawing of electoral districts, the shift in election timing and staggered terms, and the compensation provisions for board members and the chairperson. Such changes can affect representation, incumbency, and control of the authority, especially because District 8 serves as the at-large chairperson seat and the board includes one appointed county-government member. No specific individuals or groups are identified in the provided record as supporting or opposing these changes.