The 2024 session of the Georgia General Assembly came to a close at 12:58 AM on Friday, March 29. Day 40 was a long day with lots of frenzy and intrigue, but when the legislature adjourned sine die, Georgia cities emerged in a good place. GMA garnered several notable wins and no major losses. 

It will take many weeks to determine which of the various bills that passed both chambers will be signed into law, and there will be discussion about the details and the effects of this legislation.

In this Sine Die Update, GMA‘s Governmental Relations team presents the list of those bills that passed and those that died during the session. Because this 2024 session is the conclusion of the biennial, no bills remain alive for next year and new legislation will be required for any issues to be considered in the 2025 session.

GMA secured several big wins for Georgia cities this session, including a new local option sales tax for property tax reduction (HB 581) and improvements to the SDS negotiation process (HB 1407). We also successfully fought off harmful preemptions, including statewide regulation on short-term rentals (HB 1121), severe punishments for loosely defined sanctuary city policies (HB 301), and sweeping restrictions on the use of speed radar on interstates (HB 516). Check out all the bills that passed and did not pass below.

The GMA Governmental Relations Team has thoroughly enjoyed representing the interests of Georgia's cities under the Gold Dome this session. We have worked hard to share your support and concerns with legislators on various legislative topics.  Without question, we have been most successful when we have asked our members to engage in the process and they have done so. We look forward to seeing and visiting with our members and listening to your feedback during our statewide listening sessions in April.  We hope you will sign up for the one closest to you.

We would be remiss if we didn't take the time to thank each and every city official who helped us this year. Whether you were a regular on our Friday Focus Calls or you took the time to call or text your legislators, your engagement enhanced our advocacy. A special thanks goes to our First Vice President and LPC Chair Fred Perriman (Mayor, Madison) as well as our other Legislative Policy Council members for their guidance of our advocacy efforts this year.

New Local Option Sales Tax for Property Tax Reduction

House Bill 581 by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), carried in the Senate by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome), provides for a statewide floating homestead exemption, tied to the rate of inflation, but allows an opt-out provision for local governments. The bill further clarifies the notice requirements for tax assessments and millage rate adjustments to be more transparent. Finally, the bill would also create a new local option sales tax which could be used for property tax relief, similar to LOST or OLOST, for those jurisdictions that have a floating homestead exemption.  This bill will only take effect if the constitutional amendment provided for in HR 1022 is approved by the voters in November. 

Major Improvements to the SDS Negotiation Process

House Bill 1407 by Rep. John LaHood (R-Valdosta), carried in the Senate by Sen. Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville), would revise the process for negotiation of service delivery strategies. The bill revises the timeframe for negotiations and requires written exchange of information by the parties. It grants DCA the ability to create mapping standards, but mapping would be optional. The bill clarifies the revenues available to fund unincorporated service districts. Finally, the bill revises the process of dispute resolution and provides for sanctions for those parties that remain in dispute after the deadlines provided.  

Short-Term Rental Preemption Fails to Find a Vehicle

House Bill 1121 by Rep. Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins) would have limited the ability of cities to prohibit short-term rentals that are in existence prior to any prohibition and provided a statutory process for cities to address violations by short-term rental operators. 

Harsh Sanctions for Sanctuary Policies Never Reaches the House Floor

House Bill 301 by Rep. Jason Ridley (R-Chatsworth) sought to penalize local governments that violate immigration sanctuary policies. Those local governments found in violation would lose their eligibility for certain state and federal funds, lose sovereign immunity for officials and employees, and have members of local governing authorities removed. The substitute language passed the Senate but was never agreed to by the House.

Use of Radar on Interstate Prohibition Removed

House Bill 516 by Rep. Derrick McCollum (R-Flowery Branch) is a GDOT department bill, which provides additional funds to the quick response fund. A Senate amendment to this bill that would have prohibited city police departments from using radar for speed detection on interstates was removed in the House and then agreed to back in the Senate.

Community Development  

House Bill 1073 by Rep. Dale Washburn (R-Macon) would remove specific language relating to zoning procedures relating to halfway houses, drug rehabilitation centers, or other facilities for the treatment of drug dependency. In addition, this bill designates Underground Atlanta as a special entertainment district and restricts the ability of cities to require video surveillance at gas stations.    
GMA Position: Neutral  

Environment and Natural Resources  

House Bill 206 by Rep. Steven Sainz (R-St. Marys), also known as CPACE (Commercial Property Assessed Conservation, Energy, and Resiliency Cooperation), would allow for development authorities to create a financing district that acts as a mechanism for financing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements on private commercial properties.  
GMA Position: Support  
 
House Bill 1146 by Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) would allow the Georgia EPD to issue consumptive water permits to private companies without the consent of the relevant local government if said local government is unable to provide the water service within 18 months of the permit request.  
GMA Position: Oppose

Municipal Government  

House Bill 456 by Rep. Stan Gunter (R-Blairsville) establishes a two-year term for all municipal court judges and provides a removal mechanism in the event of a breach of contract.  
GMA Position: Support  
 
House Bill 461 by Rep. Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs) would revise the calculation of regulatory fees, including building inspection fees.  
GMA Position: Neutral  
 
House Bill 1033 by Rep. Rob Leverett (R-Elberton) enhances the level of punishment for the crimes of assault and battery when the victims of those crimes are utility workers.    
GMA Position: Support  
  

Public Safety  

Senate Bill 443 by Sen. Ben Watson (R-Savannah) would allow a city to recover the costs and resources associated with events not properly permitted that create a public nuisance that impedes travel by public safety officials or employees. Local governing authorities could file a complaint on behalf of the public and be reimbursed by the event's promoter or organizer.
GMA Position: Support

House Bill 451 by Rep. Devan Seabaugh (R-Marietta) establishes an insurance program to cover post-traumatic stress disorder claims for first responders and requires city participation in the program.   
GMA Position: Support  

House Bill 1105 by Rep. Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah) seeks to require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal authorities on the enforcement of immigration laws. Any law enforcement agency found in violation will be subject to the withholding of state funding or state administered federal funding. 
GMA Position: Neutral 

Revenue and Finance 

House Bill 808 by Rep. Mike Cheokas (R-Americus) would increase the statewide ad valorem tax exemption for tangible personal property from $7,500 to $20,000.  
GMA Position: Oppose  

House Bill 946 by Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) would allow a single-county T-SPLOST to be levied at the full 1 percent with majority approval of the agreement by all local jurisdictions and provides protection for those jurisdictions that are not party to the agreement by the county and cities representing at least half of the municipal population, but it also provides protection for those jurisdictions that are not party to the agreement.  The bill also extends the time for a T-SPLOST from five to six years if the county and all cities agree to the agreement.  
GMA Position: Support 

House Bill 915 by Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) is the Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2024 budget which would fund the state through the remainder of the fiscal year until June 30, 2024. Budget highlights of interest include $250 million to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), $50 million for the Rural Workforce Housing Program, and $218 million for Local Maintenance and Improvement Grants (LMIG). 
GMA Position: Support 

House Bill 1019 by Rep. Matt Reeves (R-Duluth) would raise the amount of the statewide homestead exemption applicable to city taxes from $2,000 to $4,000. 
GMA Position: Neutral 
 
House Bill 1149 by Rep. Mesha Mainor (R-Atlanta) would require local constitutional officers to disclose to the county auditors the amount of any additional discretionary income that they receive relating to their official duties. 
GMA Position: Support 

House Resolution 1022 by Rep. Beth Camp (R-Concord) is a constitutional amendment that would allow for a statewide floating homestead exemption tied to inflation with an opt out provision for local governments.  HB 581 is the enabling statute. 
GMA Position: Support  

Senate Bill 496 by Sen. Max Burns (R-Sylvania) would extend the sunset date for tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic buildings or structures through 2029 and extend the sunset date for the Rural Zone tax credit through 2032. 
GMA Position: Support 

Community Development 

House Bill 981 by Rep. James Burchett (R-Waycross) would set a $500 cap related to issuing a permit or other such approval by a local government to a qualified agricultural producer regarding the construction or renovation of an agricultural structure. 
GMA Position: Oppose 

House Bill 1043 by Rep. Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners) would provide regulations for virtual currency mining operations and prohibit cities from adopting certain zoning policies or noise regulations that discriminate against such operations. 
GMA Position: Oppose 

House Bill 1266 by Rep. Dale Washburn (R-Macon) is the so-called CHOICE Act. The bill would incentivize local governments to adopt “pro-housing” policies by giving preference to such cities and counties in the award of state grant funding. 
GMA Position: Neutral 

Senate Bill 435 by Sen. Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville) would create the statutory framework for Community Development Districts to build and maintain public infrastructure and to levy ad valorem tax to bond and to pay for such infrastructure. 
GMA Position: Neutral 

Municipal Government 

House Bill 290 by Rep. Mitchell Scoggins (R-Cartersville) would limit the amount of compensation a county tax commissioner may receive for the collection of municipal taxes.  
GMA Position: Support   

House Bill 813 by Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia) clarifies and standardizes the process for creation of a new city by setting forth the procedural steps in state law rather than just in legislative committee rules. 
GMA Position: Neutral 

House Bill 905 by Rep. Matt Reeves (R-Duluth) would clarify provisions of the Zoning Procedures Law relative to the role of quasi-judicial boards and agencies and the appeal process from their decisions. In an amended form, the bill also adds a new method of deannexation and simultaneous annexation to transfer property from one city to another.  This new method is limited to commercial properties of less than ten acres and would only apply to cities that were created after January 1, 2016. 
GMA Position: Neutral 

House Bill 1044 by Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia) raises the dollar amount of the public works bidding exemption from $100,000 to $250,000.  
GMA Position: Support 

House Bill 1228 by Tyler Paul Smith (R-Bremen) would change how some local governments procure engineering services as it would require all local governments in the state to utilize QBS as their sole procurement process. 
GMA Position: Neutral 

Senate Bill 358 by Sen. Max Burns (R-Sylvania) would require candidates for municipal elections to file required campaign disclosures with the State Ethics Commission beginning in 2026, rather than with the local municipal clerk.  The final substitute version retains the exemption thresholds of $2,500 and $5,000 in current law. 
GMA Position:  Neutral

Senate Bill 413 by Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula) would further limit the election dates for sale tax referendums to November of any year as well as the May general primary in even numbered years and the presidential preference primary every four years. 
GMA Position:  Neutral  

Public Safety 

House Bill 348 by Rep. J Collins (R-Villa Rica) would revise the regulations for speed cameras in school zones and strengthen penalties for operating a motor vehicle with a fraudulent license plate. 
GMA Position: Neutral 

House Bill 447 by Rep. Ken Vance (R-Milledgeville) provides that a person driving without insurance or with invalid vehicle registration may be subject to citation via electronic image (camera). The camera, affixed to an officer vehicle, will notify the officer of the violation, and the officer will then have the option to automatically issue a civil citation rather than initiate a traffic stop.   
GMA Position: Support 

House Bill 1126 by Rep. Clay Pirkle (R-Ashburn) seeks to repeal all laws relative to the enforcement of speeding via cameras in school zones. 
GMA Position: Oppose 

Senate Bill 16 by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) would allow municipalities to establish EMS service areas. 
GMA Position: Support 

Senate Bill 415 by Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), referred to as the Police Registration Oversight for Tracking Enforcement and Capture Technology (PROTECT) Act, allows law enforcement officers to ticket drivers without proper motor vehicle insurance and registration via electronic image.   
GMA Position: Support 

Senate Bill 568 and Senate Resolution 721 by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas) are two companion bills consisting of a constitutional amendment and enabling legislation to prohibit parole for illegal aliens.  
GMA Position: Neutral 

Senate Bill 569 by Sen. Brian Strickland (R-McDonough) seeks to prohibit illegal aliens from receiving bail if arrested for any offense. 
GMA Position: Neutral 

Revenue and Finance 

House Bill 862 by Rep. Mitchell Horner (R-Ringgold) would allow for HOST and LOST to be levied simultaneously. 
GMA Position: Oppose  

House Bill 1031 by Rep. Dale Washburn (R-Macon) would require an estimated roll-back millage rate to be included on the annual notice of current assessment instead of last year's millage rate and would require mandatory reappraisal of parcels at least once every three years. (Much of this language was added to HB 581.)
GMA Position: Support  
 
House Bill 1115 by Rep. Noel Williams (R-Cordele) would raise the limit on local sales tax to 3 percent, allow for a HOST and a LOST to be levied simultaneously, and create a new local option sales tax which would be referred to as a flexible penny local option sales tax which could be used for property tax relief, similar to LOST or OLOST. (A revised version of this new sales tax was added to HB 581.)
GMA Position: Support  
 
House Bill 1116 by Rep. Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City) would extend the sunset date for tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic structures, both commercial and residential, to January 1, 2027. (The extension provisions were added to SB 496.)
GMA Position: Support  

House Bill 1185 by Rep. Beth Camp (R-Concord) was fully substituted in Senate Finance Committee and is now the same as the original version of SB 349 as passed the Senate. The substituted bill would improve the notice requirements for tax assessments and millage rate adjustments to be more transparent but would also allow for a statewide floating homestead exemption with a cap of 3 percent. 
GMA Position: Neutral 

House Bill 1197 by Rep. Penny Houston (R-Nashville) would expand the rural zone tax credit to include historic residential structures and extends the time limit for the zone. (The extension provisions were added to SB 496.)
GMA Position: Support 

House Bill 1225 by Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) would amend the required parties for a LOST distribution certificate, allowing parties with 50 percent of the county population to levy the LOST. Parties left off the certificate would be guaranteed a minimum distribution based on their population as a percentage of the total county population. 
GMA Position: Support 

Senate Bill 349 by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) started as a floating homestead exemption, was amended first to contain the former provisions of HB 1031 relating to tax appraisals and HB 1115 relating to the flexible penny local option sales tax (FLOST), and finally was amended to include the former provisions of HB 1180 relating to the film tax credit, HB 1182 relating to the low-income housing tax credit, and HB 1192 relating to data centers tax credit. 
GMA Position: Neutral 

Senate Bil 364 by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) would allow for a statewide floating homestead exemption with a cap of 3 percent or the rate inflation, whichever is less. The exemption would be based on the assessment value from 2020, 2021, or 2022, whichever is lowest. 
GMA Position: Oppose 

Among the many study committees agreed to by the General Assembly, GMA staff anticipates being involved in several, including the following:

HR 1432 - House Disaster Mitigation and Resilience Study Committee
HR 1498 - House Study Committee on Private Water Systems
HR 1554 - House Study Committee on Navigable Streams and Related Matters

Advocacy Is a Year Round Job