ATLANTA – State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) today announced the introduction of House Bill 665, legislation that would allow the Druid Hills and Briarcliff neighborhoods to vote to decide if they want to become cities.
“We need to have a robust discussion about how people want to be governed,” said Rep. Oliver. “We have to file a cityhood bill in 2013 so my constituents can have the option to move the legislation forward in 2014; it is a two year process, and I want my neighbors and community to be able to participate fully. There is a lot of work to do to decide if these cities are viable financially, and I want the work to begin as soon as possible.”
HB 665 has been assigned to the House Governmental Affairs Committee. The committee’s rules require these types of bills to follow a two year process that must begin in the first year of a Generally Assembly term. This means that any cityhood or municipalization type bill must be introduced this year, but cannot be approved by the state House until next year. The two year requirement allows for a feasibility study to be done on the proposed city in the interim between legislative sessions. This two year process also ensures that all parties have time to consider the issue before the House votes on whether to approve a community’s attempt to form a new city.
“We need an active and robust discussion with everyone at the table to discuss how we want to be governed,” added Rep. Oliver.
For more information about HB 665, please click here.
Representative Mary Margaret Oliver represents the citizens of District 82, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and she currently serves on the Appropriations, Governmental Affairs, Judiciary, Juvenile Justice, and Science & Technology committees.
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