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GeorgiaHR 972025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Property; conveyance of certain state owned property; authorize

Sponsored By: Emory Dunahoo (Republican), Gerald Greene (Republican), Scott Hilton (Republican), Michael Smith (Democrat), Bill Werkheiser (Republican)

Signed by Governor

State PropertiesState Institutions and PropertyGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 9 mixed.

Marshland settlement requires credits and land return

The law authorizes transferring the state's interest in about 4,086.07 Glynn County marshland acres to Glynn New Hope, LLC. The deed stays in escrow pending federal mitigation-bank approval, for up to 10 years unless the State Properties Commission extends it. After approval, the company must promptly record the deed and give the state 20% of each credit release. Mitigation banks provide credits for projects that affect wetlands, and the settlement requires compliance with state and federal mitigation rules. The company must return all the land at the earliest applicable settlement trigger. Triggers include specified permit-application exhaustion, no credit releases after 10 years, all credits being exhausted, or unreleased credits 25 years after bank approval.

Atlanta gains land while preserving access

Atlanta can receive about three acres of state land at fair market value while existing access rights remain in place. Those rights belong to the state, the Georgia Building Authority, and CSX. Alternatively, Atlanta can pay $10 if it maintains those parties' access easement. The authorization expires three years after the law takes effect.

Cherokee leases tower site with shared access

Cherokee County can lease about 0.03 acre of state land for six years for $10. The lease must preserve Georgia Forestry Commission access to tower space, a generator, and a shed. The State Properties Commission can set additional terms. The authority to enter the lease expires three years after the law takes effect.

Habersham communities gain state land options

The law authorizes Alto to receive about 4.75 acres for $10, with public use required forever. Habersham County can receive about 20 acres for $10 with the same public-use requirement. The state can also transfer up to 180 acres from a roughly 192-acre Habersham parcel. The larger parcels allow fair-market-value sales, including competitive bids, or qualifying $10 public-use transfers to government entities. These authorizations expire three years after the law takes effect.

Road agencies gain land for projects

Bryan County can receive state land, road rights-of-way, and driveway easements for a roundabout project for $5,634. Georgia's transportation department can receive about 0.006 acre in Fulton County for a turn-lane extension for $10. In Hall County, it can acquire about 0.530 acre and a permanent easement over about 3.177 acres. Hall's $229,180 payment includes $21,200 for land, $98,030 for the easement, and $109,950 for damage to fixtures and landscaping. These authorizations expire three years after the law takes effect.

Southern Linc gains long-term tower leases

The law authorizes 25-year Southern Linc leases for state communication tower space in Hall, Miller, and Sumter counties. It also authorizes a 25-year lease of another specified state property to Southern Linc. The company must pay fair market value, and the State Properties Commission can set additional lease terms. The authority to enter these leases expires three years after the law takes effect.

State can swap Clarke County property

The state can exchange about 2.957 acres in Clarke County with Mallory and Evans Development, LLC. The state must receive like or better property in return. The State Properties Commission can set additional payment and exchange terms in the state's best interest. The authorization expires three years after the law takes effect.

Sumter gains land without public-use restriction

The law authorizes transferring about 11.561 acres to the Sumter County Board of Commissioners at fair market value. It also authorizes removing the public-purpose-use restriction. The State Properties Commission can set additional payment and transfer terms in the state's best interest. The authorization expires three years after the law takes effect.

College properties gain sale and parking options

The state can sell about 5.468 acres in Colquitt County to the Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority at fair market value. Competitive sales and fair-market-value transfers to government entities are also allowed; $10 government transfers require public use forever. In Effingham County, the law authorizes adding about 1.6 acres to an existing 30-year school ground lease for parking. The Board of Education pays $10 annually, and the State Properties Commission can set further payment and lease terms. These authorizations expire three years after the law takes effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Emory Dunahoo

    Republican • House

  • Gerald Greene

    Republican • House

  • Scott Hilton

    Republican • House

  • Michael Smith

    Democrat • House

  • Bill Werkheiser

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Ed Harbison

    Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 377 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2025

Agree to Senate Substitute

Yes: 162 • No: 0 • Other: 11

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

ADOPTION BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/11/2025

ADOPT

Yes: 166 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/14/2025House

  2. Act 364

    5/14/2025

  3. Effective Date

    5/14/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/7/2025House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    3/25/2025House

  6. Senate Third Read

    3/11/2025Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/11/2025Senate

  8. Senate Read Second Time

    2/27/2025Senate

  9. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/26/2025Senate

  10. Senate Read and Referred

    2/12/2025Senate

  11. House Third Readers

    2/11/2025House

  12. House Passed/Adopted

    2/11/2025House

  13. House Committee Favorably Reported

    2/6/2025House

  14. House Second Readers

    2/3/2025House

  15. House First Readers

    1/30/2025House

  16. House Hopper

    1/29/2025House

Bill Text

  • HR 97/AP* (v5)

    PDF

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