Georgia House approves transit consolidation and MARTA penny tax extension after extended questioning

Chairman Jasper, the transportation committee chairman, presented the Senate substitute for House Bill 297 on the House floor, describing a 45-page measure that would merge the Georgia Regional Transit Authority (GRETA) and the ATL Transit Authority into a single Georgia Transportation Efficiency Agency and remove dormant powers from state authorities.

Jasper said the bill "eliminates unnecessary and dormant powers" and "returns transit planning decisions to local governments," framing the change as a way to "make government smaller." He told members the substitute would preserve existing services, add reporting requirements such as annual reporting on safety performance and customer satisfaction, and require voter approval for any new transit expansion with long-term tax consequences.

The bill also includes a separate amendment to extend the MARTA penny sales tax levy. "This is, not a new tax. It's an existing, it's renewal of the existing tax to be able to continue to deliver MARTA service," Representative Silcox said during parliamentary questioning, adding that without renewal "MARTA will be out of business in 2 years." Jasper said the measure aims to protect federal funding eligibility and provide local buy-in for big projects; he noted next year Metro Atlanta is expected to receive roughly $750,000,000 from the Federal Highway Administration and almost $200,000,000 from the Federal Transit Administration to support projects that must be included in the ARC short-range plan.

Members pressed for details on appointments, liabilities and safeguards. Whip Park asked whether the Senate substitute had been vetted and whether local authorities had an opportunity for public comment; Jasper said the committee met the previous day and had a sign-in sheet for testimony but "no one used it." Representative Park Cannon and others sought assurances that underserved communities would not be deprioritized under the new structure; Jasper responded that local county commissions and city governments would remain central to local transit decisions.

A persistent line of questioning focused on appointment authority. Whip Park observed that under the substitute the governor would appoint eight of the new board members (five required to live within a metro boundary and two legislative appointees), asking whether that structure concentrated appointment power in the executive branch. Jasper replied that GRETA historically has been entirely appointed by the governor and said the substitute includes legislative input via House and Senate appointees.

Members also asked about liabilities, bonds and debt. Jasper said he was not aware of outstanding debt that would transfer to the new agency and that GRETA does not exercise taxing authority to back bonds; he said many federal dollars are passed through to local governments. Representative Davis cautioned "the devil is in the details" and urged attention to any unrecognized liabilities.

After more than an hour of questions and answers on the floor, Representative Anderson moved that the House agree to the Senate substitute to House Bill 297 as amended; the House voted to pass the measure, yeas 131, nays 40.

What happens next: With House passage on Day 40, the bill moves back to the Senate for any concurrence on House amendments and continued negotiation over the final text and implementation details. The bill language in the substitute includes appropriation language for certain judgeships and other items that members flagged as contingent on funding.

Ending: The House completed the vote on HB297 before moving to other calendar items and a lunch recess; members will see refinements to the bill if it returns to conference or the Senate acts on any House amendments.