Legislation to create the cities of LaVista Hills and Tucker was introduced Monday in the Georgia House of Representatives.
The bills are a key step in the legislative process toward allowing those communities to form cities. The proposals will next be considered by the House Governmental Affairs Committee.
“I want to give these folks a shot,” said Rep. Tom Taylor, R-Dunwoody, the sponsor of the LaVista Hills measure, House Bill 520. “Things are going to have to move very quickly.”
The deadline for bills to pass either the House or the Senate is March 13. A compromise on borders for LaVista Hills and Tucker was decided by a subcommittee of state lawmakers in December.
Rep. Billy Mitchell, D-Stone Mountain, sponsored the Tucker legislation, and he said he believes both cityhood proposals will advance through their committees.
“I’m pretty optimistic,” Mitchell said of House Bill 515. “It came very close to becoming a reality last year, and I believe it has a better chance this year.”
Legislation hasn't been introduced for two other potential cities in DeKalb, Greenhaven and Stonecrest. Supporters of those cityhood movements said they intend to file bills soon.
If the Georgia General Assembly passes cityhood measures and they’re signed by Gov. Nathan Deal, residents in the affected areas would be able to vote later this year on whether to incorporate.
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