Bill Text: GA SB515 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Americus, City of; provide for a date of expiration of office for terms of councilmembers and the mayor

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-04-13 - Effective Date [SB515 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-SB515-Introduced.html

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12 LC 39 0164

Senate Bill 515

By: Senator Hooks of the 14th

AS PASSED

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend an Act providing a new charter for the City of Americus, approved April 13, 1992 (Ga. L. 1992, p. 5985), as amended, so as to provide for a date of expiration of office for terms of councilmembers and the mayor; to provide for taking of office and swearing in of newly elected or reelected councilmembers and mayors; to provide for meetings for the establishment of council business; to provide for the administration of the oath of office; to provide for a quorum and presiding officers at meetings; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

An Act providing a new charter for the City of Americus, approved April 13, 1992 (Ga. L. 1992, p. 5985), as amended, is amended by revising subsection (a) of Section 2-102 as follows:

"(a) The members of the city council, including the mayor, shall serve for terms of four years and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the mayor and councilmembers shall be elected to serve for terms of such length specifically provided for in Article V, Section 5-102, of this charter. Terms of office for the mayor and members of the city council, as provided in this charter, shall expire on December 31 of each year unless the respective successors in office have not been duly elected and qualified."

SECTION 2.

Said Act is further amended by revising Section 2-201 as follows:

"Section 2-201.
Organizational meetings.

(a) The newly elected or reelected mayor and councilmembers shall take office at 12:01 A.M. on January 1 of the year following their elections. The newly elected or reelected mayor and councilmembers shall be sworn in during the last regularly scheduled December council meeting following their elections.

(b) The oath of office shall be administered to the newly elected or reelected mayor and councilmembers by a duly elected or appointed judge authorized to hear and decide matters in Sumter County, Georgia. The oath of office shall be taken as follows:

'I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will faithfully preform the duties of (mayor) (councilmember) of this city and that I will support and defend the charter thereof as well as the Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia and of the United States of America.'

(c) During the last regularly scheduled December council meeting of each year, the council shall establish the regular meeting dates and times for the ensuing calendar year, determine the legal organ for the city, and appoint various department positions that are required by this charter or by ordinance of the city."

SECTION 3.

Said Act is further amended by revising subsection (b) of Section 2-202 as follows:

"(b) The mayor and three members of the council or, in the absence of the mayor, four members of the council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the event that neither the mayor nor the mayor pro tempore is present at a regular or special meeting of the council, then the councilmember present at the meeting who has the longest period of continuous service as a member of the council shall preside over such meeting."

SECTION 4.

This Act shall not be applied to shorten or lengthen the current term of any person holding office on the date this Act becomes effective.

SECTION 5.

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