HB 756: Chatham Area Transit Authority; abolish current memberships; provide new board

House Bill 756 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)

By: Representatives Jackson of the 165th, Hitchens of the 161st, Petrea of the 166th, Gilliard of the 162nd, and Westbrook of the 163rd

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend an Act creating the Chatham Area Transit Authority, approved March 28, 1986 (Ga. L. 1986, p. 5082), as amended, particularly by an Act approved April 11, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 5296), so as to abolish the current authority memberships; to provide for new board membership; to provide terms of office; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

An Act creating the Chatham Area Transit Authority, approved March 28, 1986 (Ga. L. 1986, p. 5082), as amended, particularly by an Act approved April 11, 2012 (Ga. L. 2012, p. 5296), is amended by revising Section 2.2 as follows: "SECTION 2.2.

Membership and terms of office.

(a)(1) The authority membership in office on June 30, 2025, shall vacate their offices, and such offices shall be abolished as of that date.

(2) On July 1, 2025, the authority shall be governed by a new board that shall consist of up to 11 members as follows:

(A) Two members of the Board of Commissioners of Chatham County appointed by such board;

(B) One member of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Savannah appointed by such board;

(C) One member of the City Council of the City of Port Wentworth appointed by such council if such city exercises an option to participate under this Act;

(D) One member of the City Council of the City of Garden City appointed by such council;

(E) One member appointed by the Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority;

(F) One member appointed by the Board of Commissioners of Chatham County who shall be a person with a disability;

(G) One member appointed by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Savannah who shall be a resident of said city;

(H) One member appointed by the Chatham County legislative delegation who shall be a member or employee of a business advocacy organization;

(I) One member appointed by the Chatham County legislative delegation who shall be a member or employee of a tourism advocacy organization; and

(J) One member appointed by the Chatham County legislative delegation who shall be a resident of Chatham County.

(3)(A) Members of the authority appointed pursuant to subparagraphs (E), (H), (I), and

(J) of paragraph (2) of this subsection shall serve two-year terms of office and until their successors are appointed and qualified.

(B) Members of the authority appointed pursuant to subparagraphs (F) and (G) of paragraph (2) of this subsection shall serve four-year terms of office and until their successors are appointed and qualified.

(C) Members of the authority appointed pursuant to subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (2) of this subsection shall serve terms concurrent with their elective office, unless otherwise removed from the authority by their relevant appointing authority.

(4) Except for the members appointed pursuant to subparagraphs (B) through (D) and

(G) of paragraph (2) of this subsection who are required to be residents or elected officials of a designated municipality, members of the authority may reside in any part of incorporated or unincorporated Chatham County.

(5) Elected or appointed officers or officials or employees of any county, municipality, political subdivision, local authority, or state authority who meet the residency requirements provided for in this subsection may serve as members of the authority.

(6) The board established pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection shall in all matters be the successor to the authority membership abolished in paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(b) For the purposes of subsection (a) of this Section, the Chatham County legislative delegation shall be composed of all senators and representatives in the General Assembly whose districts are wholly or partially in Chatham County.

(c) Any member of the authority who has served for two consecutive full terms of office shall not be eligible for reappointment as a member of the authority until two years have elapsed after such member has vacated his or her seat on the authority. (d)(1) A member's seat on the authority shall be forfeited if:

(A) The member lacks at any time the qualifications for membership on the authority provided by this Act;

(B) The member is convicted of any felony or other crime involving moral turpitude, regardless of the sentence imposed; or

(C) The member fails to attend, without being excused by the authority:

(i) Four consecutive regular meetings of the authority; or

(ii) Fifty percent of the regular and special called meetings of the authority in any one fiscal year.

(2) If the seat of a member of the authority becomes vacant because of death, resignation, or forfeiture as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, or for any other reason, such vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner that an appointment is made for a full term as provided in this section.

(e) A majority of the members of the authority shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. No vacancy on the authority shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the authority.

(f) No member of the authority shall vote on any matter before the authority in which such member has a direct or indirect financial interest. Except for compensation received as an employee, no employee of the authority shall have any direct or indirect financial interest in or profit or benefit from any contract, work, or business of the authority or in the sale, lease, or purchase of any property to or from the authority.

(g) Members of the authority, including the chairperson, shall not be entitled to compensation for their service on the board but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and reasonable expenses incurred on authority business, provided that such expenses were authorized in advance of being incurred.

(h) The members of the authority shall elect from among their membership a chairperson and a vice chairperson. The chairperson and vice chairperson shall each hold such offices for a term of two years. The chairperson shall preside over meetings of the authority. The vice chairperson shall act in the absence or inability of the chairperson. Regular meetings of the authority shall be held monthly, with the time, place, and notice of such meetings to be fixed by the authority. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, unless the authority adopts other rules. All motions, resolutions, and other proceedings of the authority and all documents in its possession shall be public records and open to public inspection as provided in Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50 of the O.C.G.A.

(i) The chairperson of the authority shall be entitled to vote on any matter coming before the authority."

SECTION 2.

This Act shall become effective on June 30, 2025.

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.