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GeorgiaHB 9532025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

City of Statesboro Public Facilities Authority Act; enact

Sponsored By: Jon Burns (Republican), Lehman Franklin (Republican), Butch Parrish (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Project users face fees and lease duties

The Authority can set and change project rents, fees, and charges; the law sets no specific rates. Together with other revenue, charges must cover operations, maintenance, repairs, bond payments, required reserves, and related expenses. Project leases can require rent before completion or while the space is partly or fully unusable. Leases can also require tenants to operate, maintain, repair, or fully rebuild the premises and cover specified injury or property-damage claims. These lease duties apply only when included in the contract, and the Authority can enforce them after a tenant defaults.

Investors get Georgia tax-free Authority bonds

Georgia exempts the Authority’s revenue bonds and all income from those bonds from taxation within the state. This tax break applies to holders of bonds issued under this law. Savings depend on the investor’s holdings and tax situation; the law states no dollar savings.

Statesboro gains a public project authority

The law creates the independent City of Statesboro Public Facilities Authority to build, own, lease, and run public projects. Projects must be inside Statesboro and can include utilities, broadband, stormwater systems, public buildings, and historic preservation. The Authority can manage and sell property, borrow money, accept grants, hire workers, and partner with local governments. The law names no specific project or funding amount. The City appoints five board members; up to two can also serve on the City’s governing body. Those two serve while holding City office; other members serve three-year terms, with initial terms staggered over one, two, and three years. Three members form a quorum, and action requires a majority of that quorum. Members receive no pay but can receive repayment for actual expenses. When the Authority dissolves, its remaining property goes to the City after all bond principal and interest are fully paid. A resolution or trust agreement can allow earlier transfers, and existing liens, leases, and other claims remain attached.

Authority gets limited relief from taxes

The Authority is exempt from taxes and assessments on its property, operations, charges, and income to the extent general law allows. This law does not grant a sales or use tax exemption for property bought by or for the Authority. It sets no savings amount and does not require savings to be passed to households.

Claims against Authority face recovery limits

People bringing injury or negligence claims face the same immunity limits that apply to claims against Georgia counties. Officers, agents, and employees receive county-level immunity when doing Authority work. The Authority can still be sued over its contract duties like a private corporation. But its property cannot be seized and sold through legal process to pay claims.

Project bonds keep repayment with Authority

The Authority can issue revenue bonds to pay for projects or refinance existing bonds, including interest and early-payment premiums. Bonds require an authorizing resolution and approval through Georgia’s revenue bond validation process; the law sets no bond amount. Repayment comes only from pledged Authority funds, not state or City taxes or property. Each bond issue must state these limits. The Authority can pledge rents and other income, set aside repayment funds, and use trust agreements to protect bondholders. Received funds are held in trust, with bondholder claims lasting until the money is used as the financing documents require. Trust agreements can allow revenue collection, a court-appointed manager after default, and foreclosure remedies. While bonds remain outstanding, the Authority’s powers, duties, and existence cannot be reduced in ways that harm bondholders. Bulloch County Superior Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over bond validation and actions enforcing rights under this law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Jon Burns

    Republican • House

  • Lehman Franklin

    Republican • House

  • Butch Parrish

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 213 • No: 1

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 48 • No: 1 • Other: 4

House vote • 2/6/2026

Local Calendar

Yes: 165 • No: 0 • Other: 10

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2026House

  2. Act 658

    5/12/2026

  3. Effective Date

    5/12/2026

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/6/2026House

  5. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    2/17/2026Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    2/17/2026Senate

  7. Senate Read and Referred

    2/9/2026Senate

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported

    2/6/2026House

  9. House Third Readers

    2/6/2026House

  10. House Passed/Adopted

    2/6/2026House

  11. House Second Readers

    1/15/2026House

  12. House First Readers

    1/14/2026House

  13. House Hopper

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

  • HB 953/AP* (v4)

    PDF

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