All Roll Calls
Yes: 217 • No: 0
GeorgiaHB 6972025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Chickamauga, City of; ad valorem tax; educational purposes; provide homestead exemption
Sponsored By: Mike Cameron (Republican), Steve Tarvin (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Chickamauga seniors get school tax break
Beginning January 1, 2026, if voters approve in November 2025, Chickamauga senior homeowners get lower city school taxes. If you are 70–74 on January 1, you get $50,000 off your home’s assessed value for those taxes. If you are 75 or older on January 1, your full assessed value is exempt from those taxes. You must own and live in the home as your homestead. An unremarried surviving spouse can keep the break if age 67+ (or 70+ for the full exemption) and still lives in the home.
Chickamauga voters decide tax break
Voters in the Chickamauga school district vote on November 4, 2025. If a majority says yes, the exemptions start January 1, 2026. If voters say no, or the election is not held as required, the exemptions do not take effect and this part of the law is repealed on November 4, 2026. The City of Chickamauga pays the election cost.
Limits on Chickamauga school exemption
This exemption only cuts City of Chickamauga school taxes, including school bond taxes. It does not reduce state, county, city, or county school district taxes. It also replaces, not adds to, any other Chickamauga school homestead exemption for the same taxes.
How to claim the senior exemption
To claim this break, you file one initial application with the City of Chickamauga or its designee. The city provides the forms. After approval, it renews each year while you live in the home as your homestead. You must tell the city if you stop qualifying.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Mike Cameron
Republican • House
Steve Tarvin
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/25/2025
LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR
Yes: 52 • No: 0
House vote • 3/10/2025
Local Calendar
Yes: 165 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
House Date Signed by Governor
5/13/2025HouseAct 210
5/13/2025Effective Date
5/13/2025House Sent to Governor
4/7/2025HouseSenate Committee Favorably Reported
3/25/2025SenateSenate Passed/Adopted
3/25/2025SenateSenate Read and Referred
3/11/2025SenateHouse Committee Favorably Reported
3/10/2025HouseHouse Third Readers
3/10/2025HouseHouse Passed/Adopted
3/10/2025HouseHouse Second Readers
3/6/2025HouseHouse First Readers
3/4/2025HouseHouse Hopper
3/3/2025House
Bill Text
HB 697/AP* (v4)
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