Georgia House bill by author Rep. LaHood to expand Brooks County elections board and revise appointments passes House and Senate

Passed bill introduced by State Rep. John LaHood aims to expand the Brooks County Board of Elections to five members, revise appointment procedures, and adjust oversight of election staff following approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Friday, March 6, clearing the House by a vote of 158-0 and the Senate by a vote of 49-0.

The bill, introduced as HB1359 on Wednesday, Feb. 18 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Brooks County; board of elections and registration; expand to five members’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill revises the local law governing the Brooks County Board of Elections and Registration by expanding the board to five members as of Jan. 1, 2027, and setting a quorum at three members. It ends the terms of current board members on Dec. 31, 2026, and establishes staggered initial terms through Dec. 31, 2029, and Dec. 31, 2031, with all later terms lasting four years. Each county commissioner will appoint one board member, subject to majority approval of the commission, and vacancies will be filled in the same manner for the remainder of the unexpired term. The bill also places the elections supervisor and all elections staff under the hiring and firing authority of the board and supervisor, respectively, while keeping them as county employees for pay and benefits.

In the House, 63 Democrats and 95 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 18 Democrats and 31 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

LaHood graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 2000 with a BS.

LaHood, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2018 to represent the state’s 175th House District, replacing previous state representative Amy Carter.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday, May 12.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.