SB 151 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

"Joint Development Authority of North Fulton Municipalities Act"; enact

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to create the Joint Development Authority of North Fulton Municipalities; to provide a short title; to provide definitions; to provide for the powers of the authority; to provide for directors of the authority; to provide a development area; to provide for revenue bonds and other obligations of the authority; to recite constitutional authority; to provide for effect on other authorities; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Governor

Introduced Feb 12, 2025 Last action Mar 31, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

LC 47 3627S/hss → LC 47 3657S/hss · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change the committee name from 'Intergovernmental' to 'Intragovernmental' and significantly revised the restrictions on county development authorities in heavily urbanized counties. The most important change is the replacement of a geographic restriction based on municipal boundaries with a new definition of 'massively municipalized county' and a specific effective date of January 1, 2026.

Scope change

The bill now applies to counties defined as 'massively municipalized' (where two or more municipalities cover 95% or more of the county area) rather than using a geographic north-south boundary test. The restrictions on county development authorities purchasing property or granting tax abatements within municipal limits are now tied to this new definition.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'massively municipalized county' to specify counties where two or more municipalities cover 95% or more of the land area, replacing the previous geographic boundary test.

REQUIREMENT

Replaced the geographic restriction (property north of the northernmost municipal limit) with a blanket restriction on county development authorities purchasing property, undertaking projects, or granting tax abatements within municipal limits in massively municipalized counties.

TIMELINE

Added a specific effective date of January 1, 2026, replacing the previous provision that tied effectiveness to gubernatorial approval or automatic enactment.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the grandfather clause to apply to projects approved prior to January 1, 2026, rather than agreements entered into prior to the effective date, and expanded protections to include amendments, refinancing, renewals, and property transfers related to prior projects.

TECHNICAL

Changed the committee name from 'Intergovernmental Coordination' to 'Intragovernmental Coordination' and made minor formatting adjustments to the bill text.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2025 · House Mar 31, 2025

How they voted

32–22

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 55

Mar 3, 2025

D Democratic22

21 Nay 1

95% Nay

R Republican33

32 Yea 1 Nay

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

lower

Mar 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Committee

House Withdrawn, Recommitted

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Committee

Senate Withdrawn & Recommitted

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Introduced

Senate Hopper

upper

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors