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GeorgiaHB 4982025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Garden City Charm and Tourism Act; enact

Sponsored By: Lynn Heffner (Democrat), Karlton Howard (Democrat), L.C. Myles (Democrat), Mark Newton (Republican), Brian Prince (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Augusta lodging taxes fund local tourism

Each fiscal year the tax is collected, the county must direct revenue above what a 5% lodging tax would raise. At least 50% of that extra revenue must fund tourism, convention, and trade-show promotion. Promotion funds go through the county’s designated tourism marketing group or another entity authorized under an existing tourism-funding contract. Any remaining extra revenue must fund tourism product development. Spending must follow the county’s January 13, 2022 resolution.

Augusta lodging tax capped at 8%

The law authorizes Augusta-Richmond County to tax paid lodging charges at a rate no higher than 8%. Covered lodging includes hotels, motels, inns, cabins, campgrounds, and other places regularly or periodically offering paid stays. Operators must be county-licensed or required to pay county business or occupation taxes. The authority is tied to the county’s January 13, 2022 resolution, which specifies the rate, tourism purposes, and spending allocations. The law itself does not set the actual tax rate.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Lynn Heffner

    Democrat • House

  • Karlton Howard

    Democrat • House

  • L.C. Myles

    Democrat • House

  • Mark Newton

    Republican • House

  • Brian Prince

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 221 • No: 1

Senate vote • 2/28/2025

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 51 • No: 1 • Other: 2

House vote • 2/21/2025

Local Calendar

Yes: 170 • No: 0 • Other: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  2. Act 144

    5/13/2025

  3. Effective Date

    5/13/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/7/2025House

  5. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    2/28/2025Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    2/28/2025Senate

  7. Senate Read and Referred

    2/24/2025Senate

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported

    2/21/2025House

  9. House Third Readers

    2/21/2025House

  10. House Passed/Adopted

    2/21/2025House

  11. House Second Readers

    2/20/2025House

  12. House First Readers

    2/19/2025House

  13. House Hopper

    2/18/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 498/AP* (v4)

    PDF

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