SB260: SB260 Central State Hospital Redevelopment Authority; create

Central State Hospital in Milledgeville has closed or scaled back over time, leaving a large property under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities that local officials want to redevelop. This bill creates a new state body, the Central State Hospital Redevelopment Authority, to plan and carry out reuse of that property for things like education, parks, housing, healthcare, research, or commercial and industrial uses. The authority would have five appointed members (from the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor's chamber leadership, the House Speaker, and local governments in Milledgeville and Baldwin County), the power to acquire and lease land, issue revenue bonds, and enter contracts, and it would be exempt from state taxes on its property and bonds. It would take over all powers, assets, contracts, and debts of the existing Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority created in 2012. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it or it otherwise becomes law.

• Creates the Central State Hospital Redevelopment Authority as a new public corporation and political subdivision of the state to redevelop the former hospital property.
• Sets up a five-member board with members appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, the House Speaker, the City of Milledgeville, and Baldwin County, serving four-year terms.
• Gives the authority power to acquire, lease, and sell property, issue revenue bonds, borrow money, and enter contracts to fund and build redevelopment projects.
• Exempts the authority's property, activities, and bonds from state taxes, though this exemption does not cover its tenants or lessees.
• Transfers all powers, assets, contracts, and debts of the existing Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority (created in 2012) to the new authority.
• Requires an independent annual financial audit of the authority, with public notice if the authority fails to complete or file required audits.

Residents of the City of Milledgeville and Baldwin County, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the existing Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority (which would be replaced), state and local officials who appoint board members, and any businesses or developers who might lease or use the redeveloped property.

The bill sets up the legal and financial tools, such as bond issuance and tax exemptions, needed to redevelop a large vacant state property, which could bring new housing, jobs, healthcare, or commercial uses to Milledgeville and Baldwin County while replacing the local authority currently responsible for that work.

• Section 1 adds a new Chapter 41 to Title 50 of the Georgia Code (O.C.G.A. § 50-41-1 et seq.), defining terms like 'project,' 'cost of the project,' and 'local government.'
• O.C.G.A. § 50-41-3 creates the authority as a body corporate and politic with five members appointed by the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, Milledgeville, and Baldwin County, serving four-year terms.
• O.C.G.A. § 50-41-5 lists the authority's powers, including acquiring and leasing property, issuing revenue bonds, borrowing money, and hiring staff and experts.
• O.C.G.A. § 50-41-7 requires an annual independent financial audit, with public notice published if the authority fails to complete, file, or correct audit findings.
• O.C.G.A. § 50-41-9 exempts the authority's property, activities, and bonds from state taxation, but not for its tenants or lessees or for sales and use taxes on purchases.
• O.C.G.A. § 50-41-15 transfers all powers, assets, contracts, and debts of the 2012 Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority to the new authority.
• Section 2 states the Act takes effect upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without approval.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-27House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
3. 2025-04-04House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
4. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
5. 2025-03-18House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
6. 2025-03-11House Second Readers (House)
7. 2025-03-10House First Readers (House)
8. 2025-03-06Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)

• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)Primary sponsor
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Brandon Beach (R, SD-021)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Beth Camp (R, HD-135)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

   52 yea, 1 nay (3 not voting, 0 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #203

• Central State Hospital
• economic development
• Milledgeville
• Baldwin County
• state authorities and boards