Georgia General Assembly · Full text

HB 1120: Union County; governing authority; change from a sole commissioner to a five-member board of commissioners; provide advisory referendum

Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action May 12, 2026 · Passed

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House Bill 1120 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)

By: Representative Gunter of the 8th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To provide for an advisory referendum for the purpose of ascertaining whether the electors of Union County desire the governing authority of that county to be changed from a sole commissioner to a five-member board of commissioners; to provide for mandatory execution of election and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to provide for legislative purposes and findings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

(a) It is the purpose of this Act to provide for an advisory referendum for the purpose of ascertaining whether the electors of Union County desire the governing authority of that county to be changed from a sole commissioner to a five-member board of commissioners.

(b) It is found, determined, and declared that the holding of the advisory referendum provided for in this Act is:

(1) In all respects for the benefit of the people of Union County;

(2) A public purpose; and

(3) An essential governmental function for which public funds may be expended.

SECTION 2.

The election superintendent of Union County shall call and conduct an advisory referendum election as provided in this section for the purpose of submitting a question to the electors of Union County to determine whether a majority of said electors desire the governing authority of that county to be changed from a sole commissioner to a five-member board of commissioners. The advisory referendum election shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 2026, and the election superintendent shall issue the call and conduct that election as provided by general law. The election superintendent shall cause the date and purpose of the election to be published once a week for two weeks immediately preceding the date thereof in the manner required by law. The ballot shall have written or printed thereon the words:

"ADVISORY REFERENDUM

( ) YES Should the governing authority of Union County be changed from a sole ( ) NO commissioner to a five-member board of commissioners?" All persons desiring to vote for approval of the question shall vote "Yes," and all persons desiring to vote for rejection of the question shall vote "No." The expense of such election shall be borne by Union County. It shall be the election superintendent's duty to certify the result thereof to the Secretary of State. The provisions of this section shall be mandatory upon the election superintendent and are not intended as directory. If the election superintendent fails or refuses to comply with this section, any elector of Union County may apply for a writ of mandamus to compel the election superintendent to perform his or her duties under this section. If the court finds that the election superintendent has not complied with this section, the court shall fashion appropriate relief requiring the election superintendent to call and conduct such election on the date required by this section or on the next date authorized for special elections provided for in Code Section 21-2-540 of the O.C.G.A.

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.