ATLANTA – State Representative and Governor’s Floor Leader Lauren McDonald, III (R-Cumming), along with members of the Forsyth County Legislative Delegation, stand united in their support for House Resolution 303 and its enabling legislation, House Bill 585, the ‘Georgia Development Impact Fee Act,’ which would aim to empower local boards of education in high-growth school systems, including Forsyth County schools, by granting them the authority to impose, levy and collect educational development impact fees.
“Educational development impact fees are a fair and equitable way to invest in our schools,” said State Representative and Governor’s Floor Leader Lauren McDonald, III (R-Cumming). “The Forsyth County Legislative Delegation is eager to see both House Bill 585 and House Resolution 303 advance through the legislative process as both measures will grant local school boards with the necessary tools to foster growth and direct benefits for Georgia students.”
“Our commitment to education extends beyond the classroom,” said State Representative Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth). “It encompasses the infrastructure that supports our students’ learning environment, from the desks they sit in to the technology they utilize. House Bill 585 and House Resolution 303 represent a proactive step toward ensuring that Georgia’s schools remain centers of excellence, fostering an environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.”
“House Bill 585 and House Resolution 303 pave the way for smarter growth and better educational opportunities for Georgia’s students,” said State Representative Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper). “By allowing local boards of education to impose development impact fees, we ensure that our schools can keep pace with growth and provide quality education to all students. I am proud to support this constitutional amendment and its enabling legislation and look forward to working alongside my legislative colleagues to advance these measures.”
“Supporting these much-needed measures means supporting the future of quality education in Georgia,” said State Representative Carter Barrett (R-Cumming). “House Bill 585 and House Resolution 303 exemplify our dedication to securing prosperous educational paths for our students. By furnishing them with the vital resources, we prepare them for entry into Georgia’s thriving workforce and ensure access to top-tier learning environments.”
“House Bill 585 ensures that our schools can keep pace with expanding populations, providing the resources necessary for quality education,” said State Representative Brent Cox (R-Dawsonville). “Coupled with the adoption of House Resolution 303, which proposes a constitutional amendment to enable this vital measure, we would take a crucial step toward securing a brighter future for our students. Together, these initiatives pave the way for sustainable growth, ensuring that every child in Georgia has access to the educational facilities they need to thrive.”
“With House Bill 585, we’re ensuring that our schools remain equipped to accommodate the growing needs of our communities, offering the essential resources crucial for delivering high-quality education,” said State Representative David Clark (R-Buford). The adoption of House Resolution 303 would further strengthen our commitment by proposing a constitutional amendment to support this vital initiative, marking a significant stride towards securing a more promising future for our students. Together, these measures set the stage for sustainable progress, guaranteeing that every child across Georgia has equitable access to the educational infrastructure essential for their academic success and personal growth.”
HB 585 would grant local school boards of education the authority to impose, levy and collection educational development impact fees, which would provide adequate funding to assist with the influx of new Georgia residents. The bill’s implementation hinges on the adoption of HR 303, which would authorize these impact fees. The term educational development impact fees refer to fees that would be imposed to pay for a share of the cost of additional educational facilities that would serve new growth and development in the same area in which such fees would be imposed. If both HB 585 and HR 303 received final passage, then voters could approve the measure via a ballot referendum.
Both HB 585 and HR 303 are assigned to the House Committee on Governmental Affairs.
The full text of HB 585 may be found here.
The full text of HR 303 may be found here.
Representative Brent Cox represents the citizens of District 28, which includes portions of Forsyth and Hall counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee. He also serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs and Education committees.
Representative Carter Barrett represents the citizens of District 24, which includes portions of Forsyth County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Code Revision and Higher Education committees. He also serves on the Banks & Banking Committee.
Representative David Clark represents the citizens of District 100, which includes portions of Forsyth, Gwinnett and Hall counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Education and Interstate Cooperation committees.
Representative Lauren McDonald, III represents the citizens of District 26, which includes portions of Forsyth County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves as one of the Governor’s Floor Leaders. He also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Game, Fish & Parks, Human Relations & Aging, Natural Resources & Environment, Regulated Industries and Transportation committees.
Representative Rick Jasperse represents the citizens of District 11, which includes Pickens County and portions of Cherokee and Forsyth counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as Chairman of the Transportation Committee and Secretary of the Rules Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Education, Health, Higher Education, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Regulated Industries and Technology and Infrastructure committees.
Representative Todd Jones represents the citizens of District 25, which includes portions of Forsyth and Fulton counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves as Chairman of the Technology & Infrastructure Innovation Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and the Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Economic Development & Tourism, Education, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Health, Industry & Labor and Judiciary committees.
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