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GeorgiaHB 8162025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Greene County Public Facilities Authority Act; enact

Sponsored By: Trey Rhodes (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Georgia tax exemption for local bond investors

Greene County Public Facilities Authority revenue bonds, their transfers, and income from them are exempt from taxation within Georgia. The Authority's income, property, and issued bonds or certificates also receive state and local tax exemptions allowed by general state law. The law does not change residents' income, sales, or property tax rates. It does not specify each investor's tax savings.

Greene County gains a facilities authority

The law creates a permanent public authority for Greene County, its school district, and municipalities within the county. It can build, buy, operate, lease, improve, equip, and sell public projects, including projects allowed under Georgia's revenue bond law. It can hire staff, make contracts, borrow money, and accept grants and contributions. It can set or change service fees and acquire property through condemnation, a legal process for taking private property. Property with a lien requires enough money held in trust to pay and redeem its fair value. County commissioners appoint five unpaid board members, who can receive repayment for necessary expenses. Members must be at least 21, have two years of county residency immediately before appointment, and have no felony conviction. After initial appointments, terms last four years; reappointment is allowed, and three members form a quorum. The law provides tort immunity, preserves other governments' existing powers, and returns Authority assets to Greene County upon dissolution.

Greene County project bonds limit taxpayer liability

The Authority can issue revenue bonds to fund projects or replace earlier debt, with repayment terms of up to 40 years. It must approve a bond resolution and find that the project can cover its operating and debt costs. Financed costs can include land, construction, equipment, professional fees, working capital, and financing charges. They can also include interest during construction and for six months after completion. Bond payments come only from pledged revenues and property; the bonds are not debts of Georgia or Greene County. Bondholders cannot require either government to levy taxes or provide money for repayment. Local governments can still contract for Authority services or facilities, with payments covering operating costs and bond repayment. Those payments can affect local budgets, and pledged user fees can support bond payments. Bond proceeds and other receipts must be held as trust funds and used only as authorized. Trust agreements can protect bondholders, and validation and enforcement cases belong in Greene County Superior Court, where validation judgments are final. The law also protects bondholders against impairment of the Authority's powers or existence and harmful competition while bonds remain outstanding.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Trey Rhodes

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 216 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 51 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/31/2025

Local Calendar Without HBs 851 & 852

Yes: 165 • No: 0 • Other: 10

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  2. Act 235

    5/13/2025

  3. Effective Date

    5/13/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025House

  5. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    4/2/2025Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    4/2/2025Senate

  7. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/31/2025House

  8. House Third Readers

    3/31/2025House

  9. House Passed/Adopted

    3/31/2025House

  10. Senate Read and Referred

    3/31/2025Senate

  11. House Second Readers

    3/27/2025House

  12. House First Readers

    3/25/2025House

  13. House Hopper

    3/21/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 816/AP* (v4)

    PDF

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