HB1580: HB1580 Henry County Airport Authority; current operative provisions; repeal and replace

The Henry County Airport Authority was created in 2023 to acquire, build, and run airports and related facilities in Henry County. This bill repeals almost the entire body of that original law (Sections 2 through 32) and replaces it with new text covering the same topics. The replacement sets the Authority's membership at seven unpaid members plus two ex officio members, spells out how they are appointed and how vacancies are filled, and requires quarterly meetings with officers elected each July. It restates the Authority's powers to buy, build, lease, and sell airport property, to borrow money and issue revenue bonds backed by the Authority's own earnings rather than county tax dollars, and to use eminent domain for airport projects. It also details bond procedures such as validation in Henry County Superior Court, tax exemption for the bonds, and protections for bondholders. The changes take effect once the bill becomes law.

• Repeals and replaces Sections 2 through 32 of the 2023 Act creating the Henry County Airport Authority, covering nearly all of its operating rules.
• Sets Authority membership at seven unpaid members plus two ex officio members (the Henry County manager and the Henry County Development Authority's executive director), with appointment procedures for filling seats and vacancies.
• Requires the Authority to meet at least quarterly, elect a Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer each July, and operate with a four-member quorum.
• Authorizes the Authority to issue revenue bonds backed only by its own fees and earnings, explicitly stating that Henry County itself incurs no debt or liability from these bonds.
• Grants the Authority eminent domain (the power to take private property for public use with compensation) for acquiring land needed for airport projects.
• Requires that bonds issued under the Act be validated through Henry County Superior Court under Georgia's Revenue Bond Law (O.C.G.A. Title 36, Chapter 82, Article 3).

The Henry County Airport Authority and its members, Henry County's government and legislative delegation who make appointments, bondholders and lenders who finance airport projects, and any businesses or agencies that lease or contract for airport facilities in Henry County.

The rewrite clarifies how the Authority is governed, appointed, and financed, and confirms that county taxpayers bear no liability for airport bonds. It also gives the Authority formal eminent domain power, meaning it could acquire private land for airport expansion under Georgia law.

• Section 2 (new) creates the Authority as a political subdivision of Georgia with the power to sue, be sued, and contract, but shields it from tort liability.
• Section 3 sets membership at seven members plus two ex officio members, with at least five members required to reside in Henry County.
• Section 7 lists the Authority's powers, including acquiring and leasing property, borrowing money, issuing bonds, and accepting federal or state grants.
• Section 17 states that revenue bonds issued by the Authority do not constitute a debt of Henry County and cannot obligate the county to levy taxes to pay them.
• Section 23 requires bonds to be validated under Georgia's Revenue Bond Law (O.C.G.A. § 36-82), with disputes handled by Henry County Superior Court.
• Section 31 grants the Authority eminent domain power to condemn real property or easements for carrying out airport projects.
• Section 2 of the amending Act (final section) repeals all conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-05-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 605
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-10House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-04-02Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2026-03-27Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2026-03-25House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)

• El-Mahdi Holly (D, HD-116)Primary sponsor
• Demetrius Douglas (D, HD-078)
• Mary Ann Santos (D, HD-117)
• Regina Lewis-Ward (D, HD-115)
• Robert Flournoy (D, HD-074)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 25, 2026

   164 yea, 0 nay (8 not voting, 4 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #754

2. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2026

   49 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 2 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927

• airport authority
• Henry County government
• local government bonds
• eminent domain
• aviation infrastructure