HB 297 Vote Explainer: Statewide Control of Transit Governance

Quick Take

This bill made sweeping changes to how transit is governed in Georgia. It abolished existing regional transit authorities and created a new statewide Georgia Transportation Efficiency Authority with broad oversight powers. The version we voted on was a lengthy Senate substitute that returned to the House late on Sine Die, leaving very little time to fully review the significant changes it contained.

Why It Matters

Transportation decisions are some of the most important investments our communities make. They affect economic development, traffic congestion, housing, and quality of life for decades.

HB 297 shifted authority over transit planning and funding away from regional entities and toward a statewide board appointed primarily by state leadership. It also imposed new restrictions and approval requirements on local transit initiatives, particularly in metro Atlanta.

For me, this raised important questions about local control and whether communities should retain greater authority over decisions that directly affect their residents.

Key Facts

HB 297:

• Abolishes the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) and the Atlanta-region Transit Link (ATL) Authority.
• Creates the new Georgia Transportation Efficiency Authority (GTEA) as a statewide transit authority.
• Establishes a 13-member board, with most members appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate.
• Gives the new authority significant responsibilities related to transit planning, federal funding, and transportation improvement programs.
• Requires additional approvals and, in some cases, local referendums before counties can initiate new transit services.
• Extends MARTA’s existing sales tax authority through June 30, 2067.
• Makes numerous changes to Georgia’s transit sales tax and regional transit planning statutes.

My Perspective

I generally support investments in transportation and transit, but I am skeptical of consolidating more authority in Atlanta. In this case, moving authority from regional bodies to a statewide board appointed by state officials.

HB 297 was a large and complex bill that returned from the Senate late on Sine Die after passing out of the House in 2025. By the time it came back to the House, there was little opportunity to thoroughly understand all of the changes being proposed. I do not believe legislators should be expected to vote on major reorganizations of state government and transit policy without adequate time for review.

I was able to determine that this bill appeared to reduce local control over transit decisions in metro Atlanta while increasing the role of a statewide authority. Communities that are funding and using these systems should have a meaningful voice in how they are governed.

Reasonable people can disagree about the best way to coordinate transportation across Georgia, and I appreciate that supporters argued a statewide approach could improve efficiency and create more consistency. However, given the bill’s scope, the timing of the vote, and my concerns about local control, I could not support HB 297.