HR 10: Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority; reaffirm its commitment to an extension of rail system along east side of Interstate 20 in South Dekalb County; urge

South DeKalb County residents have paid a 1 percent sales tax to fund the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) since 1972, but the area has never received a rail extension, even as other parts of metro Atlanta gained new stations in 1993, 1996, and 2000. This resolution notes that MARTA's own contract amendments and a 2012 board vote already identified extending heavy rail from the Indian Creek Station along Interstate 20 toward Stonecrest Mall as the preferred plan. The resolution formally expresses the House's support for that rail extension and urges MARTA to recommit to it. It also calls on DeKalb County officials and MARTA's leadership to jointly develop a full mass transit plan for the county covering both heavy and light rail options between Atlanta and Stonecrest. Copies would be sent to MARTA's CEO and board and to DeKalb County's CEO and commissioners.

• Expresses the House of Representatives' support for extending MARTA heavy rail along the east side of Interstate 20 in South DeKalb County.
• Urges MARTA to reaffirm its previously approved commitment to this rail extension toward the Stonecrest Mall area.
• Calls on DeKalb County elected officials and MARTA's CEO and Board of Directors to jointly create a comprehensive mass transit plan covering heavy and light rail options.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to MARTA's CEO and board and to DeKalb County's CEO and Board of Commissioners.

South DeKalb County residents who have paid MARTA sales tax since 1972 without receiving rail service, MARTA's leadership and board, DeKalb County elected officials, and the City of Stonecrest, which the proposed rail extension would eventually reach.

The resolution carries no funding or legal mandate, but it puts the General Assembly on record backing a rail extension South DeKalb residents have sought for decades, potentially increasing pressure on MARTA and DeKalb County officials to act on a plan first approved in 2012.

• Recites that South DeKalb County has paid a 1 percent MARTA sales tax since 1972 without receiving a rail extension.
• Notes that 1993, 1996, and 2000 rail expansions went to Central DeKalb, North Fulton, and North DeKalb, bypassing South DeKalb.
• References the 9th and 13th amendments to the Rapid Transit Contract Agreement and MARTA's April 2012 board approval of a heavy rail extension from Indian Creek Station to Stonecrest Mall as the locally preferred alternative.
• Resolves that the House supports the Interstate 20 rail extension and urges MARTA to reaffirm that commitment.
• Resolves that DeKalb County officials and MARTA's CEO and board should jointly develop a comprehensive mass transit plan including heavy and light rail options to Stonecrest.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to MARTA and DeKalb County leadership.

1. 2025-01-15House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-01-14House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-13House Hopper (House)

• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)Primary sponsor
• Dar'shun Kendrick (D, HD-095)
• Rhonda Taylor (D, HD-092)
• Karen Bennett (D, HD-094)
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-088)

• MARTA
• public transit
• DeKalb County
• rail expansion
• transit funding