HB 396: Acworth, City of; adopt by reference a certain map

Georgia city charters typically require an official map or description showing a city's exact boundaries, kept on file with the city clerk. This bill amends the City of Acworth's charter, originally adopted in 1989 and previously updated in 2024, to formally adopt a specific updated map as that official record. The bill revises Section 1.11(a) of Acworth's charter to designate the 'Official Map or Description of the Corporate Limits of the City of Acworth, Georgia,' dated December 19, 2024 and prepared by the city clerk, as the legally recognized map of the city's boundaries. It states that the corporate boundaries as of January 1, 2025 are reflected on this map, and that the map can still be changed later through local law or general state law. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws.

• Amends the City of Acworth's charter to adopt a specific map dated December 19, 2024 as the city's official boundary map.
• States that the city's corporate boundaries as of January 1, 2025 are the ones shown on this newly adopted map.
• Confirms that certified copies of the map from the city clerk count as legal evidence of the city's boundaries in court.
• Preserves the ability to change the boundaries later through local law or general state law procedures.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with this update.

This bill mainly affects the City of Acworth's government and city clerk, who maintain the official boundary records, as well as residents, property owners, and courts that may need to reference the city's legal boundaries for zoning, taxation, or annexation disputes.

Having an accurate, legally adopted map ensures there is no ambiguity about which properties and residents fall within Acworth's city limits, which affects things like which local taxes and services apply and how annexation or boundary disputes are resolved in court.

• Section 1 revises subsection (a) of Section 1.11 of Acworth's charter to name the December 19, 2024 map as the official corporate limits map.
• Section 1 specifies that the city's boundaries as of January 1, 2025 are reflected on this newly adopted map.
• Section 1 keeps existing rules allowing boundary changes through local law or general state law procedures.
• Section 2 repeals any prior laws that conflict with this update.

1. 2025-05-13Effective Date 2025-05-13
2. 2025-05-13Act 140
3. 2025-05-13House Date Signed by Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2025-02-27Senate Passed/Adopted (Senado)
6. 2025-02-27Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senado)
7. 2025-02-24Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
8. 2025-02-21House Passed/Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)

• Lisa Campbell (D, HD-035)Patrocinador principal
• Jordan Ridley (R, HD-022)
• Ginny Ehrhart (R, HD-036)
• Devan Seabaugh (R, HD-034)
• Mekyah McQueen (D, HD-061)
• Mary Williams (D, HD-037)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes21 de febrero de 2025

   170 a favor, 0 en contra (7 sin votar, 3 ausentes)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #58

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado27 de febrero de 2025

   48 a favor, 0 en contra (5 sin votar, 3 ausentes)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #98

• city boundaries
• Acworth
• municipal charter
• local government