HB1093: HB1093 Ware County; nonbinding advisory referendum for the purpose of ascertaining whether the electors support a perimeter highway bypass around Waycross; provide

This bill sets up a nonbinding advisory vote for Ware County residents. It does not build a road or fund one; it simply asks voters whether they support building a perimeter highway bypass around the city of Waycross. The county's election superintendent would be required to call and run the referendum on the date of the 2026 general primary, publish notice of the vote for two weeks beforehand, and certify the results to the Georgia Secretary of State. The bill spells out that this duty is mandatory, not optional, and that any Ware County voter can go to court to force the election superintendent to hold the vote if he or she fails to do so. Ware County would pay the cost of running the referendum. Because the result is advisory only, it would not legally require any bypass to be built.

• Creates a nonbinding advisory referendum in Ware County asking voters if they support a perimeter highway bypass around Waycross.
• Requires the county election superintendent to call and conduct the vote on the date of the 2026 general primary.
• Requires public notice of the referendum's date and purpose once a week for two weeks before the election.
• Requires the election superintendent to certify the results to the Georgia Secretary of State.
• Allows any Ware County elector to seek a court order (writ of mandamus) forcing the superintendent to hold the vote if he or she does not comply.
• Makes Ware County responsible for paying the cost of the election.

Registered voters in Ware County, who would see the referendum question on the 2026 general primary ballot; the Ware County election superintendent, who must organize and certify the vote; and Ware County government, which pays the election costs.

The vote itself would not build or block any road, since the referendum is advisory only, but it would give county officials and state lawmakers a formal reading of public opinion on the Waycross bypass idea, which could shape future transportation funding or planning decisions.

• Section 1 states the legislature's finding that the referendum serves a public purpose and an essential governmental function justifying use of public funds.
• Section 2 requires the election superintendent to call and conduct the referendum on the date of the 2026 general primary and sets the exact ballot language: 'Do you support a perimeter highway bypass around Waycross?'
• Section 2 requires two weeks of published notice before the election and requires certification of results to the Secretary of State.
• Section 2 makes compliance mandatory and allows any Ware County elector to seek a writ of mandamus in court if the superintendent fails to hold the election.
• Section 2 places the cost of the election on Ware County and allows a court to order the vote held on the next authorized special election date under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-540 if the primary deadline is missed.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-19Effective Date 2026-03-19
2. 2026-03-19Act 373
3. 2026-03-19House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-03-19House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-02-17Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-02-17Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2026-02-09Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2026-02-06House Passed/Adopted (House)

• James Burchett (R, HD-176)Primary sponsor
• John Corbett (R, HD-174)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 6, 2026

   163 yea, 0 nay (7 not voting, 5 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #480

2. PassedSenate voteFebruary 17, 2026

   48 yea, 1 nay (2 not voting, 3 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #548

• Ware County
• Waycross bypass
• advisory referendum
• local elections
• transportation planning