Georgia House bill by Rep. Cummings on Mableton redevelopment powers passes House and Senate

Newly passed bill introduced by State Rep. Terry Cummings, which authorizes Mableton to use all redevelopment powers under state law, aims to expand the city’s redevelopment options, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Tuesday, March 3, clearing the House by a vote of 162-0 and the Senate by a vote of 45-0.

The bill, introduced as HB1213 on Thursday, Feb. 5 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Mableton, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum’.

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

In essence, this bill authorizes the city of Mableton to use all redevelopment powers allowed under Georgia’s Redevelopment Powers Law, including carrying out community redevelopment projects, creating tax allocation districts, issuing tax allocation bonds and taking on related obligations. It directs the city’s election superintendent to hold a referendum on Nov. 3, 2026, with specified ballot language, notice and publication requirements. Section 1 takes effect only if a majority of voters approve the measure; otherwise it does not take effect and the act is automatically repealed on Jan. 1 following the election. Except for that contingency, the act becomes effective upon approval by the governor or becoming law without it.

In the House, 66 Democrats and 96 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 15 Democrats and 30 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Solomon Adesanya (Democrat-43rd), Rep. Mekyah McQueen (Democrat-61st), and Rep. Jordan Ridley (Republican-22nd), along with two other co-sponsors.

Cummings graduated from Rutgers University in 1982 with a BA and again in 1991 from Georgetown University with a JD.

Cummings, a Democrat, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 39th House District, replacing previous state representative Erica Thomas.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday, May 11.

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.