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

26 LC 47 3867/AP House Bill 1093 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Burchett of the 176th and Corbett of the 174th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To provide for a nonbinding advisory referendum for the purpose of ascertaining whether the1 electors of Ware County support a perimeter highway bypass around Waycross; to provide2 for legislative purposes and findings; to provide for a referendum; to provide for mandatory3 execution of election and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related4 matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 (a) It is the purpose of this Act to provide for a nonbinding advisory referendum for the8 purpose of ascertaining whether the electors of Ware County support a perimeter highway9 bypass around Waycross.10 (b) It is found, determined, a nd declared tha t the holding of the nonbinding advisory11 referendum provided for in this Act is:12 (1) In all respects for the benefit of the people of Ware County;13 (2) A public purpose; and14 (3) An essential governmental function for which public funds may be expended.15 H. B. 1093 - 1 - 26 LC 47 3867/AP SECTION 2.16 The election superintendent of Ware County shall call and condu ct a nonbinding advisory17 referendum election as provided in this section for the purpose of submitting this question18 to the electors of Ware County to determine whether a majority of said electors support a19 perimeter highway bypass around Waycross. The nonbinding advisory referendum election20 shall be held on the date of the 2026 general primary, and the election superintendent shall21 issue the call and conduct that election as provided by general l a w . T h e e l e c t i o n22 superintendent shall cause the date and purpose of the election to be published once a week23 for two weeks immediately preceding the date thereof in the man ner required by law. The24 ballot shall have written or printed thereon the words:25 ( ) YES26 ( ) NO"27 "NONBINDING ADVISORY REFERENDUM Do you support a perimeter highway bypass around Waycross? All persons desiring to vote for approval of the question shall vote "Yes," and all persons28 desiring to vote for rejection of the question shall vote "No." The expense of such election29 shall be borne by Ware County. It shall be the election superintendent's duty to certify the30 result thereof to the Secretary of State. The provisions of th is section shall be mandatory31 upon the election superintendent and are not intended as direct ory. If the election32 superintendent fails or refuses to comply with this section, any elector of Ware County may33 apply for a writ of mandamus to compel the election superintend ent to perform his or her34 duties under this section. If the court finds that the election superintendent has not complied35 with this section, the court shall fashion appropriate relief r equiring the election36 superintendent to call and conduct such election on the date required by this section or on the37 next date authorized for special elections provided for in Code Section 21-2-540 of38 the O.C.G.A.39 H. B. 1093 - 2 - 26 LC 47 3867/AP SECTION 3.40 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.41 H. B. 1093 - 3 -