SB 331: City of Winder and the County of Barrow; creating and establishing a joint airport authority; repeal

Since 1958, the City of Winder and Barrow County have jointly run a local airport through a special authority created by state law. This bill repeals that original 1958 law, along with amendments made in 1986 and 1989, and dissolves the Barrow County Airport Authority entirely. Instead of the joint authority, Barrow County itself would take over. The bill transfers all of the authority's property, funds, contracts, leases, permits and other assets to the county, and the county would also take on all of the authority's debts and other obligations. Existing leases and contracts would stay in effect but be managed by the county going forward. Any legal reference to the old authority would now mean Barrow County, which becomes its legal successor. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it or it becomes law without his signature.

• Repeals the 1958 state law (and its 1986 and 1989 amendments) that created the joint Winder-Barrow County Airport Authority.
• Transfers all of the airport authority's real property, funds, contracts, leases, permits and licenses to Barrow County.
• Requires Barrow County to assume all of the authority's outstanding debts, liabilities and contractual obligations.
• Keeps existing leases and agreements in force but shifts their administration to Barrow County.
• Dissolves the Barrow County Airport Authority once the transfer of assets and obligations is complete.
• Makes Barrow County the legal successor to the authority for all future references in laws, ordinances and regulations.

Barrow County government, which takes over airport operations and debts; the City of Winder, which loses its co-governing role in the joint authority; any businesses, tenants or contractors with existing leases or agreements at the airport; and residents of Barrow County who rely on local airport services.

Airport governance shifts from a joint city-county authority to sole control by Barrow County, meaning county officials and taxpayers become directly responsible for the airport's debts, contracts and day-to-day management, while the City of Winder no longer shares formal authority over it.

• Section 1 repeals the original 1958 Act and its 1986 and 1989 amendments that established the joint airport authority.
• Section 2 states the purpose: transferring the authority's assets, obligations and responsibilities to Barrow County for efficiency and continued operation.
• Section 3 transfers all assets and requires Barrow County to assume all outstanding debts and liabilities on the effective date.
• Section 4 keeps existing leases and contracts in effect, now administered by Barrow County.
• Section 5 dissolves the Barrow County Airport Authority once the transfer is complete.
• Section 6 makes Barrow County the legal successor for all references to the authority in existing laws and regulations.
• Section 7 sets the effective date as upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without approval.

1. 2025-05-14Effective Date
2. 2025-05-14Act 359
3. 2025-05-14Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2025-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2025-04-04Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2025-03-28House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2025-03-28House Third Readers (House)
8. 2025-03-28House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)

• Clint Dixon (R, SD-45)Primary sponsor
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-47)
• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 20, 2025

   54 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 0 excused)

   PASSAGE AS AMENDED: Senate Vote #251

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 28, 2025

   160 yea, 0 nay (8 not voting, 12 excused)

   Local Calendar: House Vote #332

3. PassedSenate voteApril 4, 2025

   51 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 1 excused)

   AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE: Senate Vote #473

• airport governance
• Barrow County
• local government
• Winder Georgia
• government consolidation