GeorgiaSB 332025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

"Georgia Hemp Farming Act"; total THC concentration of consumable hemp products; provide limits

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Bill Cowsert (Republican), Steve Gooch (Republican), Marty Harbin (Republican), Ed Harbison (Democrat), Mike Hodges (Republican), Chuck Hufstetler (Republican), John F. Kennedy (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Elena Parent (Democrat), Michael 'Doc' Rhett (Democrat), Randy Robertson (Republican), Ben Watson (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Agriculture & Consumer AffairsRegulated Industries and UtilitiesGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Taxpayers gain protections and assessment deadlines

Local officials cannot issue retroactive property-tax bills for mistakenly applied homestead exemptions that did not benefit the taxpayer. This protection does not cover errors caused by the taxpayer's intentional misrepresentation or fraud. Local officials must finish assessments by July 15, or June 1 where property taxes are paid in installments. They must immediately send the completed property-tax digest to the state revenue commissioner. Boards can correct factual errors benefiting taxpayers within three years and must notify the taxpayer and commissioner; state correction authority also applies when local boards fail to act.

Sales tax funds homeowner tax relief

Beginning January 1, 2028, county-based districts can adopt a 1% Local Homestead Option Sales Tax through a local Act and voter approval. Collection starts at the next calendar quarter beginning more than 50 days after the referendum result is certified. Each tax period lasts up to 10 years; renewal requires the same approval process after expiration. Participating governments must have collected homestead property taxes at a net rate above zero the previous year; Article 4 taxing governments are excluded. The money funds added property-tax exemptions for primary homes and up to five contiguous acres, with separate limits for specially assessed land. Relief depends on net collections and local tax rates, applies only to participating governments' taxes, and preserves other exemptions. Revenue stays in interest-bearing trust accounts before county distribution, and excess proceeds lower local property-tax rates. Taxable purchases include food, alcohol, and motor fuel sold for $3.00 per gallon or less. Exclusions cover seller or carrier deliveries outside the district and construction materials under contracts bid before the referendum and awarded from those bids.

Eligible homeowners keep exemptions without reapplying

Homeowners who applied for and received an exemption last tax year receive the covered exemption automatically this year. They must remain eligible for the same home. Once granted, the exemption renews while the owner occupies the home and remains eligible, without annual applications. Owners must notify the local tax authority when eligibility ends.

July cutoff sets property-tax relief timing

Local governments must use covered tax proceeds received before July 1 to reduce property taxes that same year. Proceeds received on or after July 1 must reduce the following year's property taxes. This rule sets when taxpayers receive relief, not its amount.

Buyers get credit for taxes paid elsewhere

Beginning January 1, 2028, buyers can credit qualifying local sales tax paid elsewhere against the new homestead sales tax. The credit must cover the same purchased property. Payments count first toward applicable Article 2 and Article 3 local taxes, then toward the homestead sales tax. Buyers cannot reuse a payment already credited against another local tax and must pay any shortfall.

Combined local sales taxes face limits

The combined rate for the specified local sales and use taxes cannot exceed 1 percentage point. The Local Homestead Option Sales Tax counts toward that ceiling, leaving less room for other covered taxes. This is not a cap on every state and local sales tax.

Voters face fewer revenue election dates

Special elections on local revenue increases, including possible tax increases, must use designated dates. In odd-numbered years, elections fall on the third Tuesday in March or the Tuesday after November's first Monday. In even-numbered years, they fall on the general primary date or the Tuesday after November's first Monday. Elections must occur at least 29 days after they are called. These limits change election timing, not tax rates.

Home changes reset exemption value calculations

The homestead exemption's protected value uses the prior adjusted value, an inflation-limited increase, and the value of major property changes. Exemptions first granted in 2025 use the 2024 assessed value; other new exemptions use the preceding year's value. Additions, improvements, and removed property can raise or lower that value, including changes during the base year. Officials cannot count a change twice and must use the final value from any appeal. If you lose eligibility, later qualify, and reapply, your base value is calculated as for a new applicant.

Retailers get deductions and reporting duties

Beginning January 1, 2028, dealers collecting the homestead sales tax can keep the deduction allowed under existing dealer rules. Their payment must not be late; the provided text does not state the deduction rate. Tax returns must separately list each store and its sales and tax amounts. Collected payments count first toward state tax liability, then toward the homestead sales tax.

Schools get revised funding and spending rules

School funding calculations subtract specified homestead and disabled-veteran exemptions from the adjusted property-tax base used for the local five-mill share. For covered exempt properties, officials subtract the difference between assessed value and net taxable assessed value for the digest year. Age-based adjustments include $5,000 per estimated resident age 65 or older, plus calculations using $1,000 and a 0.4 multiplier. When an exemption amount changes after the digest year, calculations use the most recently adopted amount. The minimum local-budget share for direct instruction, media centers, and staff development rises from 15% to 25%. These rules change funding calculations and budget priorities, not household exemption eligibility.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Robert Dickey
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 362 • No: 134

House vote • 4/3/2026

Agree to Senate Amend to House Sub

Yes: 97 • No: 72 • Other: 9

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE AS AMENDED

Yes: 32 • No: 21 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION

Yes: 32 • No: 21 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/31/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 151 • No: 14 • Other: 7

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 50 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

Senate Date Signed by Governor
5/11/2026Senate
Act 461
5/11/2026
Effective Date
5/11/2026
Senate Sent to Governor
4/10/2026Senate
Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub As Amended
4/2/2026Senate
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
4/2/2026House
House Third Readers
3/31/2026House
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/31/2026House
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/25/2026House
House Second Readers
3/11/2025House
House First Readers
3/10/2025House
Senate Third Read
3/6/2025Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/6/2025Senate
Senate Read Second Time
2/24/2025Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/21/2025Senate
Senate Read and Referred
1/28/2025Senate
Senate Hopper
1/27/2025Senate

Bill Text

SB 33/AP* (v18)
PDF

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