hb103_LC_21_9128_a_2.html
07 LC 21 9128
House Bill 103
By: Representatives Peake of the 137th, Lucas of the 139th, Randall of the 138th, Freeman of the 140th, Cole of the 125th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT


To amend an Act entitled "An Act to provide a new charter for the City of Macon, Georgia," approved March 23, 1977 (Ga. L. 1977, p. 3776), as amended, so as to provide for the number of city council members; to provide for council members currently serving; to provide for the appointment of a mayor pro tempore; to provide for elections; to provide for the submission of this Act to the United States Department of Justice; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
An Act entitled "An Act to provide a new charter for the City of Macon, Georgia," approved March 23, 1977 (Ga. L. 1977, p. 3776), as amended, is amended by revising Section 2-101 as follows:

"SECTION 2-101.
Creation; composition; term of office.

There shall be a city council, hereinafter at times referred to as the council, composed of 11 council members, one of whom shall be president of the council and each of whom shall be elected as provided in Article IV of this chapter for four-year terms and until a successor is elected and qualified. The council members serving on the effective date of this Act shall continue to serve until the end of their term."

SECTION 2.
Said Act is further amended by revising Section 2-301 as follows:

"SECTION 2-301.
President pro tempore; appointment; term; removal.

The council shall select, by a majority vote of all members, a president pro tempore from among the council members as a whole. The selection shall be made at the organizational meeting of the council after the municipal election and the president pro tempore shall serve for the same term as other council members, subject to removal. In the event the presidency pro tempore of the council becomes vacant for any reason, a new president pro tempore of the council shall be selected as set out in this section."

SECTION 3.
Said Act is further amended by revising Section 4-105 as follows:

"SECTION 4-105.
Election by district; at large; candidate to specify.

(a) Each election district shall be represented by two council members, each of whom shall continue to reside in the election district he or she represents during his or her term. Two council members from each election district shall be elected by the qualified electors residing in the election district.
(b) Each election district shall be composed of two posts, to be designated Post 1 and Post 2. Each post shall be filled by a qualified elector residing within the election district. At the time for qualifying, each candidate shall specify the post to which he or she seeks election.
(c) The mayor and council president shall be elected by the qualified electors of the city at large and shall continue to reside in the city during their terms."

SECTION 4.
The governing authority of the City of Macon shall through its legal counsel cause this Act to be submitted for preclearance under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended; and such submission shall be made to the United States Department of Justice or filed with the appropriate court no later than 45 days after the date on which this Act is approved by the Governor or otherwise becomes law without such approval.

SECTION 5.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.