Legislation to create the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority gained approval by the Georgia House on Tuesday.
House Bill 763, sponsored by State Representative Ron Stephens creates the authority in anticipation of airport construction in the county in the coming years. The bill was co-sponsored by Representatives Jesse Petrea and Lehman Franklin, who also represent portions of Bryan County.
The initiative of an airport in Bryan County gained momentum in 2024 after economic development leaders in Bryan County expressed interest in an airport. CEO of the Bryan County Development Authority told a news outlet that they’re asked “a lot” about whether or not Bryan County, amidst all of its growth, has an airport.
“They live in Savannah, or the Savannah metro area, and they’re having to store their aircraft in other neighboring airports and some of them have to drive up to an hour just to get to their plane,” Bryan County Development Authority CEO Sean Register said.
City and county officials voted shortly thereafter to approve a feasibility study to determine the size and location of an airport in Bryan County. The study came at the cost of $180,000.
The legislation creates an eleven member board which will be appointed by elected officials.
- 7 members will be appointed by Bryan County and the City of Richmond Hill
- Post 1 will be held by the County Manager of Bryan County or his/her designee
- Post 2 will be appointed by the City Manager of Richmond Hill or his/her designee
- Post 3 and 5 will be appointed by Bryan County Board of Commissioners
- Post 4 and 6 will be appointed by Richmond Hill City Council
- Post 7 will be appointed by Richmond Hill City Council, but after the first term, will be appointed by the Bryan County Board of Commissioners
- 4 members of the Airport Authority will be appointed by the legislative delegation of Bryan County
- They can be residents of Bryan County but are not required to be residents of Bryan County
- Appointments must be made within 60 days of the bill taking effect
All of the terms will be 4 years with the exception of the Posts held by City Manager and County Manager, which will be held for the duration of the job.
The first meeting must be held by April 30, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and notice must be given to the legal organ of Bryan County at least 15 days ahead of time and posted on the city and county websites. The Authority will otherwise be subject to the Open Meetings Act and the Open Records Act.
Specifically, HB 763 gives the Authority the power to:
- Acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise and to hold, lease, and dispose of real and personal property of every kind
- Acquire in its own name real property and easements.
- To appoint, select, and employ officers and employees and is permitted to contract with the City of Richmond Hill for payroll services, insurance, and retirement programs
- Enter into contracts with consultants and independent contractors for anything, including engineering, architecture, and construction experts.
- To construct, acquire, own, repair, remodal, etc. projects to be paid for in whole or in part from revenue bonds or other funds or any grant
- To accept loans, and grants
- To borrow money
- To make rules and bylaws for orderly operation of the Authority
- To request the city or county to exercise eminent domain to acquire any private real property or any rights or interests, including easements
- To issue revenue bonds
The bill was approved on the local calendar in the Georgia House, which is similar to a consent agenda. Several bills are voted on at one time when dealing with matters of local legislation. The local calendar passed unanimously.
The bill must pass in the Georgia Senate and be signed by the Governor before it becomes law.
