HB738: HB738 Butts County; appointment of county surveyor; provide

Butts County currently elects its county surveyor, an official who handles land surveying matters for the county. This bill changes that by abolishing the elected position under the authority of a state law (O.C.G.A. § 36-7-2.1) that allows counties to switch from an elected to an appointed county surveyor. Instead of voters choosing the surveyor, the Butts County governing authority (the county commission) would appoint a qualified person to serve a one-year term. When that term ends, the governing authority would appoint a successor, also for one year, and this would continue going forward. Anyone appointed must meet the qualifications already set out in Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 36-7-2) for county surveyors. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it or it becomes law without his signature.

• Abolishes the elected office of county surveyor in Butts County under authority granted by O.C.G.A. § 36-7-2.1.
• Gives the Butts County governing authority the power to appoint a county surveyor rather than have voters elect one.
• Sets the appointed surveyor's term at one year from the date of appointment, with successors also appointed for one-year terms.
• Requires any appointed county surveyor to meet the qualifications listed in O.C.G.A. § 36-7-2(b)(1).
• Takes effect as soon as the Governor signs it or it becomes law without his signature.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with this change.

This bill affects Butts County residents, who will no longer vote for county surveyor, the Butts County governing authority (county commission), which gains appointment power, and anyone seeking to serve as county surveyor, who must meet state-set qualifications.

Butts County voters would lose the ability to directly elect their county surveyor, an official responsible for land surveying duties tied to property lines and boundaries. Instead, county commissioners would control who holds the job and how long they keep it, renewing appointments yearly.

• Section 1 abolishes the elected office of county surveyor in Butts County under O.C.G.A. § 36-7-2.1 and shifts appointment power to the county's governing authority.
• Section 1 sets a one-year term for the appointed surveyor and for each successor appointment.
• Section 1 requires appointees to meet the qualifications in O.C.G.A. § 36-7-2(b)(1).
• Section 2 makes the Act effective upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without his approval.
• Section 3 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-13Effective Date 2025-05-13
2. 2025-05-13Act 164
3. 2025-05-13House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-28Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-28Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2025-03-20Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2025-03-18House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)Primary sponsor

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 18, 2025

   171 yea, 0 nay (6 not voting, 3 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #279

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 28, 2025

   53 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 2 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #313

• Butts County
• county surveyor
• local government appointments
• county government