State Rep. Beth Camp has introduced legislation in the Georgia House intended to realign Barnesville’s city council election districts in line with recent census data, according to the Georgia State House.
Designated as HB982, the bill was filed Thursday, Jan. 15, during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly. Its formal purpose is: ’Barnesville, City of; city council; change description of election districts’.
We have provided an analysis based on the official bill text, offering clarification of its key components.
The legislation proposes to update the City of Barnesville charter, redefining the five city council election districts according to 2020 U.S. Census voting tabulation districts and census blocks specified in a new Appendix B. It outlines procedures for handling territory left out of or not contiguous with any district, favoring assignment to the smallest adjacent district by population where appropriate. Existing council roles—mayor and five members—will remain, and current officeholders stay through their terms. Affected districts will be renumbered but regarded as representing the revised boundaries as soon as the law takes effect.
The bill also lists Rep. Robert Dickey (Republican-134th) as a co-sponsor.
Since the start of the current session, Camp has submitted eight additional bills, with three adopted into law.
Camp earned her associate degree from Georgia Military College in Milledgeville in 1997 and a bachelor’s degree from Clayton State University in 2017.
The Republican lawmaker was elected to the Georgia State House in 2023, succeeding Calvin Smyre as the representative for the 135th District.
As outlined in Georgia’s legislative procedure, bills begin when lawmakers, sometimes at constituent request, collaborate with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft legislation. After being submitted to the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, a bill receives its first reading and a committee assignment, where primary debate and review occur. If a committee approves, it advances for a third reading, further debate, and a vote on the chamber floor. Passage by both legislative chambers is required. Discrepancies can be resolved by a conference committee before submission to the governor, who has six days within session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without signing. The Georgia General Assembly holds an annual 40-day session starting the second Monday in January.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB949 | 01/12/2026 | Aviation; prohibit launch or intentional landing of unmanned aircraft systems from or on agricultural land |
| HB948 | 01/12/2026 | Property; debtors in foreclosures to receive certain information and forms in a notice of foreclosure; provide |
| HB759 | 03/11/2025 | Spalding County; board of elections; terms of members; update provisions |
| HB628 | 02/26/2025 | Income tax; contributions to law enforcement foundations; revise tax credit |
| HB507 | 02/18/2025 | Georgia Homegrown Solar Act of 2025; enact |
| HB331 | 02/06/2025 | Animals; prohibit transfer of certain domestic animals at certain locations |
| HB153 | 01/28/2025 | Sales and use tax; maintenance and replacement parts for certain machinery used to mix or transport concrete; extend exemption sunset date |
| HB134 | 01/27/2025 | Sales and use tax; manufactured homes; revise and expand exemption |
Details for this report originated from the Georgia State House. Access original data here.
