Georgia Senate bill by author Sen. Jackson expanding Tucker city limits and requiring special election passes House and Senate

Newly passed bill authored by State Sen. Kim Jackson seeks to expand the city limits of Tucker and require a special election in the affected DeKalb County areas, according to the Georgia State Senate.

It passed both chambers as of Thursday, April 2, clearing the House by a vote of 110-63 and the Senate by a vote of 44-0.

The bill, introduced as SB622 on Monday, March 16 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’City of Tucker; annexation of certain territory into the boundaries of the city; provide’.

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

In essence, this bill expands the city limits of Tucker to include specified parcels in DeKalb County, defined by voter tabulation districts and census blocks from the 2020 U.S. Census for the Briarlake Elementary and Midvale Road areas. It directs the DeKalb County election superintendent to hold a special election on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026 for voters in the affected territory to approve or reject the annexation. If a majority votes yes, the annexation takes effect Jan. 1, 2027; if a majority votes no, the Act is automatically repealed on Jan. 1 following the election.

In the Senate, 17 Democrats and 27 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the House, 13 Democrats and 97 Republicans voted in favor, while 63 Democrats voted against it.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Karla Drenner (Democrat-85th) and Sen. Tonya Anderson (Democrat-43rd), along with two other co-sponsors.

Jackson graduated from Furman University in 2006.

Jackson, a Democrat, was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2021 to represent the state’s 41st Senate District, replacing previous state senator Steve Henson.

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 Senate. The source data can be found here.