Rep. Westbrook sponsors bill in Georgia House on Garden City mayor pro tempore vacancies

The new bill, introduced by State Rep. Anne Allen Westbrook in the Georgia House, seeks to clarify procedures for filling Garden City mayor pro tempore vacancies and outlines succession rules, according to the Georgia State House.

The bill, introduced as HB966 on Thursday, April 2 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Garden City, City of; mayor to fill any vacancy in the office of mayor pro tempore; provide’.

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

In essence, this bill amends the charter of Garden City to specify how vacancies in the office of mayor pro tempore are filled. It provides that after each regular election, if the mayor has just been elected, he or she shall appoint one of the other council members to serve as mayor pro tempore for a 4-year term and until a successor is elected and qualified. The bill further states that the mayor shall fill any vacancy in the mayor pro tempore’s office, and it maintains existing rules for the mayor pro tempore acting as mayor, succession to the mayor’s office, and the separate election and role of the president of the council.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Ron Stephens (Republican-164th) and Rep. Bill Hitchens (Republican-161st), along with two other co-sponsors.

Since the beginning of the session, Westbrook has proposed another three bills.

Westbrook graduated from Hollins College in 1996 with a BA and again in 2001 from University of Georgia School of Law with a JD.

Westbrook, a Democrat, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 163rd House District, replacing previous state representative Derek Mallow.

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.