RELATING TO AN INCOME TAX CREDIT.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Della Belatti and 7 co-sponsors

House Bill 355 ensures timely filling of vacancies for Doraville's mayor and council, promoting stable governance and continuity for residents and local officials.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

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Purpose and Intent

House Bill 355 (HB 355) aims to amend the charter of the City of Doraville, located in DeKalb County, Georgia. The primary intent of the bill is to establish clear procedures for filling vacancies in the offices of councilmembers and the mayor. This amendment seeks to ensure continuity in governance and provide a structured process for addressing unexpected vacancies.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes the following key changes to the existing charter:

Definition of Vacancy:

A vacancy in the office of a councilmember or the mayor will be recognized under several circumstances, including:
- Resignation
- Death
- Relocation outside the city
- Absence from four consecutive regular meetings (unless a leave of absence is granted)
- Adjudication of incompetence
- Conviction of malfeasance, a felony, or election law violations

Filling Vacancies:

For Councilmembers:
- If fewer than 12 months remain in the unexpired term, the mayor will appoint a successor, subject to approval by the majority of remaining councilmembers.
- If more than 12 months remain, a special election will be held to fill the seat.
For the Mayor:
- Any vacancy in the mayor's office will be filled through a special election at the next available date, following the procedures outlined in the Georgia Election Code.

Repeal of Conflicting Laws:

The bill includes a provision to repeal any existing laws that conflict with the new amendments.

Affected Parties

City of Doraville: The local government structure will be directly impacted, as the bill modifies how vacancies are managed within the city council and mayor's office.

Residents of Doraville: The residents may experience more stable governance due to the structured process for filling vacancies, ensuring that leadership roles are promptly filled.

Procedural Aspects and Timeline

Introduced: February 10, 2025

Legislative Actions:

House Passed/Adopted: February 13, 2025
Senate Passed/Adopted: March 10, 2025
Sent to Governor: April 7, 2025
Signed by Governor: May 13, 2025
Effective Date: May 13, 2025

Referral: The bill was referred to multiple committees, including PBS/ECD, CPC, and FIN, before being passed.

Conclusion

House Bill 355 serves to enhance the governance of the City of Doraville by providing a clear and efficient process for filling vacancies in key leadership positions. This legislative change is expected to promote stability and continuity within the city's government, benefiting both officials and residents alike.

Bill