HB753: HB753 Better Georgia Without Blight Act; enact

25 LC 52 0740 House Bill 753 By: Representatives Berry of the 56th, Frye of the 122nd, Herring of the 145th, Olaleye of the 59th, and Reese of the 140th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 8 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the1 Department of Community Affairs, so as to establish the Better Georgia Without Blight Fund2 for the purpose of providing financing and technical assistance for the rehabilitation of3 blighted properties; to provide for definitions; to provide for such fund; to provide for criteria4 and standards; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for reporting; to provide for5 automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide fo r a short title; to provide for6 legislative findings; to provide for an effective date conditio ned upon appropriations; to7 repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9 SECTION 1.10 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Better Georgia Without Blight Act."11 SECTION 2.12 The General Assembly finds that:13 (1) The existence of real property that is maintained in a bli ghted condition increases14 burdens on state and local governments by increasing the need for government services,15 H. B. 753 - 1 - 25 LC 52 0740 including but not limited to social services, public safety services, and code enforcement16 services;17 (2) Notwithstanding current methods of addressing blighted properties, there is a need18 for the state to provide financing and technical assistance to help local, municipal, county,19 or consolidated governments throughout this state to take on th e formidable task of20 encouraging the rehabilitation of blighted properties or the actual rehabilitation of such21 properties;22 (3) The rehabilitation of blighted properties decreases the ne ed for state and local23 government services, which saves resources;24 (4) The rehabilitation of blighted properties improves communities by making them safer25 and more attractive places in which to live, work, and play, an d the improvement of26 communities leads to better residents, better employees, and better customers; and27 (5) Improved communities will strengthen Georgia's status as number one for business28 and number one for homes.29 SECTION 3.30 Chapter 8 of Title 50 the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of31 Community Affairs, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows:32 "ARTICLE 1433 50-8-400.34 As used in this article, the term:35 (1) 'Better Georgia Without Blight Fund' or 'fund' means the a ssistance program36 established pursuant to this article.37 (2) 'Blighted property' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 22-1-1.38 (3) 'Commissioner' means the commissioner of community affairs.39 H. B. 753 - 2 - 25 LC 52 0740 (4) 'Department' means the Department of Community Affairs.40 50-8-401.41 (a) The Better Georgia Without Blight Fund is established within the department for the42 purpose of assisting local, municipal, county, or consolidated governments with financing,43 including loans, loan guarantees, and matching grants, and tech nical assistance to44 encourage the rehabilitation of blighted properties.45 (b) The commissioner shall serve as the director of the fund.46 (c) The department shall be authorized to apply for, receive, administer, and use any grant,47 other financial assistance, or other funds made available to th e department from any48 government or other source for furthering the purposes of the fund.49 50-8-402.50 (a) The department shall establish criteria and standards for eligible applicants and eligible51 blighted properties.52 (b) The department shall establish criteria, implement an application process, and provide53 financing and technical assistance consistent with the provisio ns of this article. Such54 criteria shall include documentation of:55 (1) A public inspection of the parcel of property and an offic ial identification of such56 property as blighted property;57 (2) Written notice of the identification of the parcel of property as blighted property to58 the property owner;59 (3) At least one stakeholder meeting allowing for response from the property owner and60 the community;61 (4) Revenue loss from blighted property's condition;62 (5) Local commitment to the rehabilitation of the property; and63 H. B. 753 - 3 - 25 LC 52 0740 (6) Any other requirements that the department determines as n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e64 successful rehabilitation of a blighted property.65 50-8-403.66 The department shall be authorized to promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to67 implement and administer this article.68 50-8-404.69 Beginning July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall submit a detailed70 report to the Governor and notify members of the General Assembly of the availability of71 such report in the manner which it deems to be most effective a nd efficient. The annual72 report shall contain the department's findings and recommendati ons regarding the73 implementation of this article. Such annual reports shall be published on the department's74 internet website and shall be made publicly available.75 50-8-405.76 This article shall be automatically repealed on June 30, 2031, unless continued in effect by77 the General Assembly prior to such date."78 SECTION 4.79 (a) This Act shall become effective only if funds are specific ally appropriated for the80 purposes of this Act in an appropriations Act enacted by the General Assembly.81 (b) If funds are so appropriated, then this Act shall become effective on the later of:82 (1) The date on which such appropriations Act becomes effective; or83 (2) The beginning date of the fiscal year for which such appropriations are made.84 H. B. 753 - 4 - 25 LC 52 0740 SECTION 5.85 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.86 H. B. 753 - 5 -