Bill Text: GA HB1482 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Stockbridge, City of; councilmember elections; advisory referendum; provide

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2010-04-29 - Senate Notice to Reconsider [HB1482 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HB1482-Introduced.html

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10 LC 21 0809

House Bill 1482

By: Representatives Davis of the 109th, Mosby of the 90th, Baker of the 78th, Yates of the 73rd, Mayo of the 91st, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To provide for a nonbinding, advisory referendum by the electors of the City of Stockbridge for the purpose of ascertaining whether the electors of the City of Stockbridge desire to continue to elect five councilmembers at large or to change the charter to provide either four election districts plus two districts at large or five election districts plus one district at large; to provide for procedures and requirements relating thereto; to provide for a referendum and effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

It is the purpose of this Act to provide for a nonbinding, advisory referendum for the purpose of ascertaining whether the citizens of the City of Stockbridge desire to continue to elect five councilmembers at large or to change the charter to provide either four election districts plus two districts at large or five election districts plus one district at large. The advisory referendum provided for in this Act is:

(1) In all respects for the benefit of the people of the City of Stockbridge;

(2) A public purpose; and

(3) An essential governmental function for which public funds may be expended.

SECTION 2.

It is the intent of the City of Stockbridge delegation to the General Assembly to introduce legislation at the 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly if the combined selections of Options B and C exceed the selection of Option A as provided in Section 3 of this Act. In the event legislation is introduced, it is the intent of such delegation to introduce the concept presented in which ever option, Option B or Option C, receives the highest number of votes.

SECTION 3.

Unless prohibited by the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, the municipal election superintendent of the City of Stockbridge shall call and conduct a nonbinding, advisory referendum election as provided in this section for the purpose of submitting a question to the electors of the City of Stockbridge to determine whether a majority of said electors desire to continue to elect five councilmembers at large or to change the charter to provide either four election districts plus two districts at large or five election districts plus one district at large. The municipal election superintendent shall conduct that election on the day of the state-wide general election in November, 2010, and shall issue the call and conduct that election as provided by general law. The municipal election superintendent shall cause the date and purpose of the election to be published once a week for two weeks immediately preceding the date thereof in the official organ of Henry County. The ballot shall have written or printed thereon the words:

"NONBINDING ADVISORY REFERENDUM

How shall the members of the City Council of the City of Stockbridge be elected (select one)?

(  )  A Five at large

(  )  B Four from election districts and two at large

(  )  C Five from election districts and one at large"

All persons shall select one option. The expense of such election shall be borne by the City of Stockbridge. It shall be municipal the election superintendent's duty to certify the result thereof to the Secretary of State and to each member of the General Assembly whose senatorial or representative district lies wholly on partially within the City of Stockbridge.

SECTION 4.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 3 of this Act, this Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.

SECTION 5.

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