SB622: SB622 City of Tucker; annexation of certain territory into the boundaries of the city; provide

The City of Tucker was created by a 2015 state law that set its boundaries. This bill amends that founding law to add a new section describing specific tracts of land in DeKalb County, identified by census block and voting precinct (VTD) numbers, that would be annexed into the city. The annexation does not happen automatically. The bill orders DeKalb County's election superintendent to hold a special election on the November 2026 general election date, letting residents of the affected territory vote yes or no on whether the annexation should be approved. If a majority vote yes, the annexation becomes effective January 1, 2027. If a majority vote no, the annexation never takes effect and the new section of law is automatically repealed the following January 1. The City of Tucker must pay for the election, and results must be certified to the Secretary of State.

• Adds a new section to the 2015 Act incorporating the City of Tucker to include specific described tracts of DeKalb County land within the city's boundaries.
• Identifies the annexed area by 2020 census VTD (voting precinct) and block numbers rather than street addresses or metes and bounds.
• Requires DeKalb County's election superintendent to hold a special referendum on the November 2026 election date for residents of the annexed territory.
• Makes the annexation effective January 1, 2027 only if a majority of voters in the affected area approve it.
• Automatically repeals the annexation section if voters reject it, effective the following January 1.
• Assigns the cost of holding the special election to the City of Tucker.

Residents and property owners in the specific DeKalb County census blocks described in the bill, who would become part of the City of Tucker if the referendum passes; DeKalb County's election superintendent, who must run the vote; and the City of Tucker, which pays for the election and would gain new territory and residents.

If approved, people living in the annexed area would become City of Tucker residents, subject to city taxes, services, and ordinances instead of only county government. The outcome depends entirely on a local vote, so no boundary change occurs unless residents of that specific area approve it.

• Section 1 adds new Section 1.02A to the 2015 Tucker incorporation Act, listing the annexed tracts by DeKalb County VTD and census block numbers under the 'Tucker-Annex-2025' plan.
• Section 1 clarifies that VTD and block boundaries follow the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau maps for Georgia.
• Section 2 requires a special referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026, with the ballot asking whether the annexation should be approved.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as January 1, 2027 if voters approve, or automatic repeal on the following January 1 if voters reject the measure.
• Section 2 assigns election costs to the City of Tucker and requires certification of results to the Secretary of State.
• Section 3 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-12Effective Date 2026-05-12
2. 2026-05-12Act 704
3. 2026-05-12Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2026-04-02House Passed/Adopted (House)
6. 2026-04-02House Third Readers (House)
7. 2026-04-02House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
8. 2026-03-25House Second Readers (House)

• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)Primary sponsor
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Karla Drenner (D, HD-085)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 20, 2026

   44 yea, 0 nay (5 not voting, 5 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #761

2. PassedHouse voteApril 2, 2026

   110 yea, 63 nay (1 not voting, 2 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #846

• city annexation
• City of Tucker
• DeKalb County
• local elections
• municipal boundaries