HB 1545: Putnam County; board of commissioners; current board members to continue their terms of office; provide

This bill amends the 1879 law that created the Putnam County board of commissioners, as it has been changed over the years. It confirms that commissioners currently serving, and anyone appointed to fill a vacancy, keep serving out the terms voters elected them to (or terms they were appointed to) under the rules that already existed, with normal elections continuing after that. The bill also spells out what happens if a commissioner stops living in the district they represent: that creates a vacancy. If a vacancy opens for a reason other than a term simply ending, the remaining board members pick a replacement from the same district and same local political party as the departing member, but only if less than 12 months remain in the term. If the board cannot agree, the chief judge of the Superior Court of Putnam County makes the appointment instead. If 12 months or more remain, the appointee serves only until a special election is held under Georgia's election law (O.C.G.A. Title 21, Chapter 2) picks a permanent successor.

• Confirms that sitting Putnam County commissioners and anyone who filled a vacancy keep serving out their current terms under previously established rules.
• Requires that a commissioner elected from a district remain a resident of that district, and creates a vacancy if they move out.
• Sets a process for the remaining board members to appoint a same-district, same-party replacement when a vacancy has less than 12 months left.
• Gives the chief judge of the Superior Court of Putnam County the power to appoint a replacement if the board cannot agree on one.
• Requires a special election under Georgia's election law to fill a vacancy with 12 months or more remaining, rather than a board appointment lasting the full term.
• Repeals any prior laws that conflict with these new rules.

Members of the Putnam County board of commissioners, candidates seeking to fill vacancies on the board, the chief judge of the Superior Court of Putnam County, and Putnam County voters who would take part in any special elections triggered by a vacancy.

The bill settles how long current Putnam County commissioners serve and creates a clear, predictable process for replacing a commissioner who moves out of their district or otherwise leaves early, including who appoints a replacement and when voters instead get a special election.

• Section 1 revises subsection (a) of Section 3 of the 1879 Putnam County commissioners Act to confirm current board members serve out their existing terms, with normal successive terms to follow.
• Section 1 also revises subsection (b) to state that a commissioner who stops residing in their district creates a vacancy in that seat.
• For vacancies with less than 12 months remaining, the remaining board members appoint a successor who must live in the affected district and share the prior officeholder's political party.
• If the board cannot choose a successor, the chief judge of the Superior Court of Putnam County appoints one under the same residency and party conditions.
• For vacancies with 12 months or more remaining, the appointee serves only until a special election is held under the Georgia Election Code (O.C.G.A. Title 21, Chapter 2).
• Section 2 repeals any existing laws that conflict with this Act.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-05-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 587
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2026-03-25Senate Passed/Adopted (Senado)
6. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senado)
7. 2026-03-23Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
8. 2026-03-20House Passed/Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)

• Trey Rhodes (R, HD-124)Patrocinador principal
• Dale Washburn (R, HD-144)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes20 de marzo de 2026

   153 a favor, 0 en contra (14 sin votar, 9 ausentes)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #734

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado25 de marzo de 2026

   50 a favor, 0 en contra (2 sin votar, 2 ausentes)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #799

• local legislation
• Putnam County government
• county commissioners
• special elections
• election rules