State Sen. Emanuel Jones introduced a bill in the Georgia General Assembly that would change the way Henry County commissioners are appointed on an interim basis to fill a sudden vacancy. A previous bill sponsored by Jones passed both houses earlier in the 2021 session and calls for the Board of Commissioners to make an appointment within 14 days of a vacancy.

Former commissioner Gary Barham died March 2, but at the March 16 meeting the commissioners declined to make an appointment from the three nominees provided by the local Republican Party. If the new bill, SB 306, is adopted by the legislature the appointment will be made solely by the commission chair.

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The woman, who was not publicly identified, died at a hospital after the medical emergency on the lake, officials said. (Courtesy of Georgia DNR)

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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