Rep. Mark Hamilton Introduces Legislation to Shorten GDOT Board Terms

HR 1446 will put measure before Georgia voters

ATLANTA- State Representative Mark Hamilton (R- Cumming) introduced today House Resolution 1446- a constitutional amendment to shorten the terms of Georgia Department of Transportation Board (GDOT) members from five years to two.

“Transportation remains one of the most pressing issues facing our state today,” said Representative Hamilton. “Shortening the terms of GDOT board members by three years to coincide with the two year terms of the General Assembly, will lead to greater accountability and make for a more responsive agency.”

Each of GDOT’s 13 board members represents one of the state’s 13 congressional districts. Members of the General Assembly serving within those congressional districts elect a GDOT board member from this district.

House Resolution 1446 must pass the General Assembly and then go before Georgia voters in the upcoming November 2010 General election. Upon approval, an election will be held for all 13 GDOT board seats within 10 days of the start of the 2011 General Assembly legislative session.

Sponsors of the legislation also include Representative John Meadows (R-Calhoun), Representative Terry England (R-Auburn), Representative Doug Collins (R-Gainesville), Representative Jay Powell (R-Camilla) and Representative Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica).

###

Representative Mark Hamilton represents the citizens of District 23, which includes parts of Cherokee and Forsyth Counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2006 and currently serves as chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Children & Youth, Industrial Relations, and the Transportation Committees in addition to the Special Committee on Small Business Development and Jobs Creation.