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GeorgiaHB 7972025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Homelessness Prevention Act of Chatham County; 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: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Homelessness council gains powers and tax breaks

The council can hire staff, make contracts and rules, accept gifts, loans and grants, and acquire or dispose of property. It can also sue or be sued. Property and service agreements with public bodies can last up to 50 years. Some property transfers need no public bidding or notice; public bodies can convey or lease property without declaring it surplus. The council is exempt from taxes and assessments on property it owns, leases, controls or supervises, its activities, and income. This includes charges for using its projects. Board members are accountable as trustees, and the council or its fiscal agent must keep income and spending records. An independent audit is required for any tax year when the council receives or spends money without a fiscal agent.

New council coordinates Chatham-Savannah homelessness services

The law creates the Interagency Council on Homelessness for Chatham-Savannah as a Georgia public corporation and state body. It develops, carries out, and evaluates homelessness plans for Chatham County and Savannah. It sets service standards through certification and oversees shared records, a coordinated system connecting people with services, and yearly homelessness counts. It supports the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless in preparing and submitting community funding applications. Anyone who lives or works in Chatham County can join; membership is meant to include service providers and service users. The council must follow federal housing rules, and meetings follow its bylaws and applicable federal rules. The law specifies no funding amount or direct household payments.

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

All Roll Calls

Yes: 213 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 5

House vote • 3/27/2025

Local Calendar

Yes: 164 • No: 0 • Other: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/1/2025House

  2. Act 50

    5/1/2025

  3. Effective Date

    5/1/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/7/2025House

  5. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/31/2025Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/31/2025Senate

  7. Senate Read and Referred

    3/28/2025Senate

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/27/2025House

  9. House Third Readers

    3/27/2025House

  10. House Passed/Adopted

    3/27/2025House

  11. House Second Readers

    3/21/2025House

  12. House First Readers

    3/20/2025House

  13. House Hopper

    3/18/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 797/AP* (v4)

    PDF

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