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Committee approves commission to press Congress on disputed northern boundary
Summary
The Interstate Cooperation committee passed a bill creating a nine-member commission to work with Congress to resolve Georgia’s disputed northern border with North Carolina and Tennessee; the measure includes a sunset date and allows contracting subject to budget approval.
The Interstate Cooperation committee voted to pass legislation creating a commission to press Congress to resolve a long-running dispute over Georgia’s northern boundary with North Carolina and Tennessee.
Representative Montahan introduced HR 132 (LC 280659), saying the measure "creates the Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee boundary line commission" and directs the group to conduct surveys and "work with Congress" rather than pursue an interstate compact among the three states. The committee passed the bill by voice vote after questions and discussion.
The bill sets the commission at nine members, with three appointees selected by the governor; one of the governor’s appointees will serve as chair. Montahan told the committee the change from earlier proposals expands appointments beyond legislative leaders and that the commission may hire consultants or contractors "subject to budget approval from legislative leadership." He also said funding would likely come from the general appropriation process and could be allocated in an amended budget.
Members pressed Montahan on several points during the discussion, including how much land is at issue, who would pay for surveys and consultants, and what leverage Georgia would have if North Carolina or Tennessee declined to cooperate. Montahan said he could not estimate acreage and described the disputed area as including natural resources such as water and mineral deposits. He said previous interstate-compact efforts faltered because neighboring states have little incentive to concede access to resources and that the bill’s difference is an effort to work through the U.S. congressional delegation.
The legislation includes a sunset provision that would abolish the commission on Dec. 1, 2026, unless the committee or the General Assembly extends it. Montahan said the time limit is intended to limit long-term costs to taxpayers and to force a timely effort. The bill also references allowances for legislative members under OCGA 28-1-8 and limits on contracting tied to budget approval by legislative leadership.
Representative Franklin moved to pass the bill; a second was recorded and the chair said "the ayes have it." The committee clerk will record the final paperwork and Montahan said he expected to follow up with committee rules forms for his attendance sheet.
With the vote, the committee forwarded the measure for further action consistent with the legislature’s process. The transcript shows members discussed possible extensions to the sunset date and asked about outreach to businesses and other stakeholders; Montahan said he had not received business outreach and identified most co-sponsors as border-area representatives.
Next steps and any required federal action were not resolved in the meeting. Montahan told the committee the commission’s work would include surveying and working with members of Congress from Georgia and the neighboring states to seek a definitive settlement of the border.
