House Bill 109
Chair's Name: Austin Scott
Committee: Governmental Affairs
House Sponsor: Ellis Black
HB 109 deals with consolidated governments in counties which have no incorporated cities. Rep. Black will be offering a Floor Substitute that tailors this bill to fit Echols County. If a county has no incorporated cities and wishes to become a consolidated government, the county governing authority must adopt a unanimous resolution within one calendar year of this bill�s effective date, currently provide certain county services, and notify the Department of Community Affairs. Once the county becomes a consolidated government, it will be considered a municipal corporation for the purposes of the law and no other municipality may be created in or extend into the county.
This bill received a Do Pass recommendation from the Governmental Affairs Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule.
Chairman Scott�s opinion of this legislation:
WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?
Currently Echols County does not have an incorporated city, so it cannot negotiate for franchise fees. This bill would allow it to be treated as a consolidated government and therefore get these fees.
WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?
The local government�s desire for powers of municipalities in order to provide some services to local community.
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