Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia Senate Bill SB543

Introduced
2/20/26  
Refer
2/24/26  
Report Pass
3/3/26  
Engrossed
3/3/26  
Report Pass
3/18/26  
Report Pass
3/20/26  

Caption

Board of Commissioners of Roads and Revenues for Butts County; required to read an ordinance, resolution, or other matter before the board at one meeting prior to the adoption; provide

Summary

SB 543 is a local act affecting the Board of Commissioners of Roads and Revenues for Butts County. The bill amends the county’s governing act to state that the board is not required to read an ordinance, resolution, or other matter before the board at more than one meeting. In practical terms, it removes any local requirement that a proposed measure be read multiple times before adoption, allowing the board to complete the reading process in a single meeting if it chooses. The bill is narrow in scope and applies only to Butts County’s board of commissioners. It does not create a new county power so much as streamline the procedural rules for considering local legislation and board actions. By adding this provision and repealing conflicting laws, the bill ensures that the county’s governing procedures are consistent with the new one-meeting reading rule.

Impact

SB 543 amends a 1941 local act governing Butts County’s Board of Commissioners of Roads and Revenues. The legal effect is to eliminate any requirement in that act that ordinances, resolutions, or other matters be read at more than one meeting before action is taken. This changes local legislative procedure in Butts County and overrides any conflicting local provisions, but it does not affect statewide law or other counties.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the bill was broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate 42-0 on the Local Consent Calendar, passed the House 151-0 on the Local Calendar, and then the Senate agreed to the House substitute 45-0. No committee transcripts are available, but the unanimous votes indicate strong consensus and little to no opposition.

Contention

There is no recorded substantive controversy in the provided materials. The only possible point of discussion is procedural: the bill reduces the number of meetings required for reading local measures, which could be viewed as improving efficiency or, alternatively, as reducing deliberative process. However, the unanimous votes and lack of transcript debate suggest that any concern was minimal and not enough to generate opposition.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

GA SB166

Require boards of county commissioners and county planning and zoning commissions to hold meetings after certain times or provide recordings of meetings to the public for later viewing.

GA HB2177

In ordinances, further providing for publication; in council, further providing for publication of proposed ordinance; and, in county commissioners and chief clerks, further providing for ordinances and resolutions.

GA HB2972

Wind and solar energy; authorizing board of county commissioners of each county to adopt certain ordinances; effective date.

GA H8037

Reduces the newspaper advertising notice requirements for amendments to zoning ordinances and planning board meetings from three (3) weeks to two (2) weeks.

GA S2908

Reduces the newspaper advertising notice requirements for amendments to zoning ordinances and planning board meetings from three (3) weeks to two (2) weeks.

GA SB494

Board of Commissioners of Irwin County; the compensation of the board of commissioners; revise provisions

GA HB1090

Echols County; Board of Commissioners; county commissioners shall be elected from the county at large; provide

GA SB99

Open Meetings Act - County Boards of Education - Enhanced Requirements (Local Boards of Education Transparency Act)

GA HB154

Open Meetings Act - County Boards of Education - Enhanced Requirements (Local Boards of Education Transparency Act)

GA HB0154

Open Meetings Act - County Boards of Education - Enhanced Requirements (Local Boards of Education Transparency Act)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.