GeorgiaSB 702025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

"Conyers Community Improvement Districts Act"; enact

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Conyers owners can form improvement districts

The law allows separate local governments called improvement districts, wholly within Conyers, to support nonresidential development. A district cannot begin business until the City approves and affected owners give written consent. Consent must cover a majority of owners and at least 75% of the property value subject to district charges. Value comes from the latest approved Rockdale County property tax digest, and the county Tax Commissioner certifies the 75% threshold. Activation resolutions must be filed with Georgia's Secretary of State and Department of Community Affairs. Adding an area requires the same owner consent thresholds for that area, plus district board and City approval. Closing a district requires City approval, majority-owner consent, consent representing at least 75% of taxable property value, and payment of all debt. During closing, no new projects or obligations are allowed; assets are sold to pay debt, except certain public facilities and easements. The City receives surplus money and district real property, and district charges end. The board finishes business through December 31 of the closing year; the City can take over unfinished duties. A closed district can restart through the original approval process.

Conyers property owners elect district boards

Each district has at least five board members: one City appointee and four elected by qualifying nonresidential property owners or their representatives. Voting is based on property ownership, not residence, and each elected member needs a majority of votes. The first election meeting must be called within 90 days after the required activation actions; later annual meetings follow tax-filing deadlines. Elected members serve two-year terms after initial staggered terms and lose their seats if they stop qualifying as voters. Owners can recall board members, who are unpaid but can receive repayment for actual expenses. Georgia's general Election Code does not apply to these elections; districts can adopt their own election bylaws.

Conyers districts can fund local improvements

Districts can finance, build, run, and maintain roads, parks, water, sewage, stormwater, transit, terminal, and parking facilities. They can buy, lease, manage, or sell property; make contracts; accept grants, gifts, and loans; and hire staff or advisers. They can also sue or be sued and plan long-term improvements with the City. Agreements with state institutions or other governments can last up to 50 years, but must cover work each party can legally undertake. Each district must sign a service agreement with Conyers, which keeps control over its own facilities, access, and service levels. These powers do not guarantee a particular project or service level.

Conyers commercial owners face district charges

District boards can charge eligible nonresidential property owners taxes, fees, and assessments totaling no more than five mills. That equals $5 per $1,000 of assessed value; the actual charge can be lower. Residential, farm, forestry, and tax-exempt property are excluded, as are tangible personal property and intangible property. Charges must be shared fairly based on development density and service needs; assessed value and new versus existing development can matter. Money can fund only services specially needed by district development, not general City services. Conyers collects the charges on its tax bills and can keep 1% for collection costs, capped at $25,000 per calendar year. Late payments carry the same interest, penalties, and enforcement as City property taxes. Property leaving the district or becoming nontaxable must keep paying its existing bond-related millage until the secured debt is paid or refunded.

Conyers districts gain tax-backed borrowing powers

Districts can borrow for projects without the debt limits that apply to other local governments. Borrowing funds improvements, but district credit and taxing power back repayment; Georgia, Conyers, and other governments are not responsible. A board majority can approve bonds backed by district taxes or obligations backed by pledged property or revenue. Bonds and notes can have fixed or variable interest and must mature within 30 years. Georgia's interest-rate limits do not apply, and district revenue and debt are tax-exempt—not individual households or businesses. Borrowed money must pay authorized project costs or refinance debt. Bonds follow Georgia's revenue-bond court validation process; approval terms can allow ranges of principal, interest, and maturity, and discounted sales are permitted. Districts can refinance obligations and issue later bonds, while protecting earlier lenders' security unless equal-priority borrowing rights were reserved.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Tonya Anderson
Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

Rhonda Taylor
Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 221 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2025

Local Calendar

Yes: 172 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 5

Actions Timeline

Senate Date Signed by Governor
5/13/2025Senate
Act 244
5/13/2025
Effective Date
5/13/2025
Senate Sent to Governor
4/7/2025Senate
House Committee Favorably Reported
3/4/2025House
House Third Readers
3/4/2025House
House Passed/Adopted
3/4/2025House
House Second Readers
2/13/2025House
House First Readers
2/12/2025House
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
2/11/2025Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted
2/11/2025Senate
Senate Read and Referred
2/4/2025Senate
Senate Hopper
2/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

SB 70/AP* (v5)
PDF

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