All Roll Calls
Yes: 223 • No: 0
GeorgiaHB 7822025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Chatham County Schools' Tax Relief Act; enact
Sponsored By: Carl Gilliard (Democrat), Bill Hitchens (Republican), Jesse Petrea (Republican), Ron Stephens (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
School tax relief for Chatham homeowners
Chatham County now offers a homestead break on school taxes. If you own and live in your home (up to five contiguous acres), you can shield the increase above your base-year value. Your annual savings equal the protected amount times the school millage rate. Final value after any appeal counts. The break does not cover value from new improvements or land added after January 1 of your base year, and it does not cut school bond taxes. It only reduces Chatham County school district taxes for education, not state, county, city, or other school district taxes. Apply with the Chatham County tax commissioner; it renews while you live there, and you must report if you become ineligible. A surviving spouse who stays in the home keeps the break. This exemption is in addition to any other homestead exemption. It applies to tax years starting January 1, 2026, if voters approve in November 2025.
Local vote on school tax relief
Chatham County must hold a local vote on November 4, 2025, to approve the homestead school tax break. If more than half vote Yes, the exemption starts January 1, 2026. If the vote fails or is not held as required, the exemption does not start and the Act repeals 365 days after the vote. The county pays the election costs. The election official must publish notices and certify results to the Secretary of State.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Carl Gilliard
Democrat • House
Bill Hitchens
Republican • House
Jesse Petrea
Republican • House
Ron Stephens
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/28/2025
LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR
Yes: 53 • No: 0
House vote • 3/25/2025
Local Calendar
Yes: 170 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
House Date Signed by Governor
5/9/2025HouseAct 105
5/9/2025Effective Date
5/9/2025House Sent to Governor
4/7/2025HouseSenate Committee Favorably Reported
3/28/2025SenateSenate Passed/Adopted
3/28/2025SenateSenate Read and Referred
3/27/2025SenateHouse Committee Favorably Reported
3/25/2025HouseHouse Third Readers
3/25/2025HouseHouse Passed/Adopted
3/25/2025HouseHouse Second Readers
3/21/2025HouseHouse First Readers
3/20/2025HouseHouse Hopper
3/18/2025House
Bill Text
HB 782/AP* (v4)
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