Georgia lawmakers are addressing a long-standing dispute regarding land in Tennessee that Congress originally assigned to Georgia in the 1700s.

The land in question is along the 35th parallel. Georgia State Representative Martin Momtahan from District 17 has introduced a bill aiming to reclaim this area, highlighting a survey from 1818 that defined the line a mile south of the current proposal.

Momtahan describes the 35th parallel as a contested region that includes places like St. Elmo and East Ridge in South Chattanooga. He insists that this is not a land grab but a rightful claim to an area that Georgia should have. He believes residents are missing out on opportunities, such as in-state tuition and access to cultural events like Major League baseball.

Tennessee maintains that Georgia is after water rights from the Tennessee River.

Momtahan is committed to seeing the bill through, especially after a previous veto by Governor Kemp. The current bill is in the House Rules Committee and could be effective by 2026 if passed.