By Hunter Riggall
Two bills which seek to thwart the Cobb County Board of Commissioners’ effort to draw its own district map have stalled in the state legislature.
Senate bills 124 and 236, sponsored by state Sen. Ed Setzler, R-Acworth, had been slated for floor votes on Monday — Crossover Day, a crucial legislative deadline during the legislative session. Neither bill received a vote, however.
SB 124 would explicitly prohibit Georgia counties from drawing their own district lines, something the Democratic majority on the Cobb commission has sought to do. SB 236, meanwhile, mirrors the map signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp last year, which
In committee hearings last week, some of Setzler’s Republican colleagues expressed concern about the legislation potentially ending an elected official’s term prematurely.
Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, floated the idea of an amendment to one of the bills which would explicitly state that elected officials who were drawn out of their districts mid-term would be able to serve out their full term.
Setzler later endorsed that idea and said he had drafted an amendment to that effect.
Sen. Michael “Doc” Rhett, D-Marietta, was supportive of the amendment that would allow Commissioner Richardson to finish her term but not the bill.