Georgia Senate bill by author Sen. Walker creating Cochran Public Facilities Authority passes House and Senate

Passed bill introduced by State Sen. Larry Walker, III seeks to create the City of Cochran Public Facilities Authority to manage and finance public infrastructure and facilities for governmental functions, according to the Georgia State Senate.

It passed both chambers as of Friday, March 20, clearing the House by a vote of 153-0 and the Senate by a vote of 49-0.

The bill, introduced as SB612 on Monday, March 2 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’City of Cochran Public Facilities Authority; create’.

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

In essence, this bill creates the City of Cochran Public Facilities Authority as a public corporation to acquire, build, equip, maintain and operate facilities and infrastructure for the city’s governmental and public functions. It defines eligible projects broadly, including buildings, utilities, broadband and storm water systems; grants the authority powers to own, lease, finance and manage those projects; and authorizes issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds that do not constitute state or city debt. The bill sets board membership as the city’s governing body, outlines bond validation and trustee arrangements, provides for tort immunity and tax exemptions, protects pledged revenues as trust funds, limits operations to city boundaries, and transfers remaining property to the city if the authority is dissolved.

In the Senate, 18 Democrats and 31 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the House, 65 Democrats and 88 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Danny Mathis (Republican-133rd).

Walker graduated from the University of Georgia in 1987 with a BBA.

Walker, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2015 to represent the state’s 20th Senate District, replacing previous state senator Ross Tolleson.

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 Senate. The source data can be found here.