ATLANTA – State Representative Dewey McClain (D-Lawrenceville), chair of the Gwinnett House Legislative Delegation, touts the delegation’s bipartisan local legislation to create a property tax exemption for Gwinnett County residents. Last week, the Georgia House of Representatives passed two local tax exemption bills, House Bill 711 and House Bill 748, which will now undergo consideration in the Senate.
“I am really proud of the hard work and unity put forth by the members of Gwinnett House Legislative Delegation this legislative session,” said Rep. McClain. “Gwinnett County residents should be able to stay and afford living in their homes, and rising property values shouldn’t negatively impact their dreams of homeownership, especially our public workers. I’m proud that we passed this homestead exemption, and our delegation will continue to work relentlessly to hear the voices and meet the needs of all of Gwinnett County’s residents.”
If the local ballot referendum is approved by the Senate, this legislation would give local voters a chance to usher in the first major Gwinnett residential property tax cut since 1988. Gwinnett voters could double the Gwinnett homestead exemption and deliver an additional homestead exemption to public workers.
Sponsored by State Rep. Matt Reeves (R-Duluth), House Bill 711 would provide a homestead exemption of $4,000 from all county school district ad valorem taxation. House Bill 748 would provide an additional homestead exemption of $2,000 of the assessed value for residents of that school district who are public service employees, such as Gwinnett educators, law enforcement, hospital employees and active duty military personnel.
If this legislative package receives final passage, Gwinnett County voters would have an opportunity to approve these tax exemptions via a local ballot referendum on the 2024 general primary ballot.
Representative Dewey McClain represents the citizens of District 109, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2013 and currently serves on the Game, Fish & Parks, Industry and Labor, Motor Vehicles and State Planning & Community Affairs committees.
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