ATLANTA – State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, commends the passage of House Bill 92 today, marking a step toward providing property tax relief for Georgians.
“Today, the Georgia House reaffirmed our commitment to providing Georgia homeowners with relief from excessive property tax increases with the passage of HB 92,” said Chairman Blackmon. “Voters across the state overwhelmingly expressed their support for this measure at the ballot box last November, but despite this, local governments with ample revenue and resources continue to opt out of this critical local tax relief. I, along with many other members of the Georgia House, stand ready to ensure Georgia taxpayers receive the tax relief they voted for.”
HB 92, sponsored by Chairman Blackmon, would extend the deadline for local governments to participate in the base year homestead tax exemption to March 31, 2025, which seeks to protect Georgia homeowners from excessive property tax increases. Last November, this exemption passed overwhelmingly on the ballot in all 159 counties throughout Georgia. HB 92 provides local governments that are considering opting out of this local tax relief with reasonable time to reconsider.
“The floating homestead exemption has been successfully implemented in other states and more than 60 local governments across Georgia, proving its effectiveness without causing financial strain,” added Chairman Blackmon. “While this exemption will not decrease the property taxes paid, it will protect homeowners from sudden, large increases that can happen when home values rise sharply beyond typical inflation levels. These hikes are often unexpected and can be difficult to manage for homeowners looking for budget-friendly options. Since property value increases vary, the floating exemption offers protections tailored to each situation. We strongly encourage local governments to not opt out of this opportunity, as it provides necessary protections for homeowners and ensures stability in the community.”
The full text of HB 92 may be found here.
Representative Shaw Blackmon represents the citizens of District 146, which includes a portion of Houston County. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2015 and currently serves as Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee. He also serves on the Governmental Affairs, Insurance, Rules, Rural Development, Small Business Development and Technology and Infrastructure Innovation committees, as well as the Special Committee on Resource Management. He is also an Ex-Officio member of the Appropriations Committee and MARTOC.
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