SB333: SB333 City of Chickamauga; independent school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes; provide a homestead exemption

This bill creates a homestead exemption from City of Chickamauga independent school district property taxes used for education. Under the bill, a homeowner's school tax bill would be based on a 'base year' assessed value, and any increase in assessed value in later years would be exempt from school taxes, effectively freezing the taxable value for that purpose. The exemption does not cover new improvements or added land, and it does not apply to school bond debt taxes, county taxes, municipal taxes, or state taxes. Homeowners must apply once with the City of Chickamauga's governing authority to receive the exemption, after which it renews automatically as long as they keep living in the home. Because this changes local tax law, the Georgia Constitution requires the bill to pass by a two-thirds vote in both chambers, and it must also be approved by voters in the school district in a November 2025 referendum before it can take effect on January 1, 2026.

• Creates a homestead exemption that freezes the assessed value used to calculate City of Chickamauga school district property taxes at the 'base year' level, exempting later increases in value.
• Excludes new improvements and land added to the property after the base year from the frozen value, keeping those increases taxable.
• Requires homeowners to file a one time application with the City of Chickamauga's governing authority, after which the exemption renews automatically each year.
• Limits the exemption to City of Chickamauga independent school district education taxes only, not county, municipal, state, or school bond debt taxes.
• Requires a November 2025 referendum of district voters and a two-thirds vote in the General Assembly before the exemption can take effect on January 1, 2026.
• Automatically repeals the entire Act if voters reject it or if the required election is not held as specified.

Homeowners with a homestead in the City of Chickamauga independent school district, the City of Chickamauga's governing authority and election superintendent, Walker County election officials, and the school district's tax base, which would see slower growth in taxable value from affected homes.

If approved by voters, homeowners in the district would see their school tax bills grow more slowly as home values rise, since increases above the base year value would be exempt. The school district's taxable base would grow more slowly, which could affect the revenue it collects for education.

• Section 1 defines 'base year' as the tax year before a homeowner's exemption first applies, and limits 'homestead' to up to five contiguous acres under O.C.G.A. § 48-5-40.
• Section 1(b) sets the exemption amount as the difference between the current year assessed value and the base year assessed value of the homestead.
• Section 1(c) and (d) require a one time application to the City of Chickamauga's governing authority, with automatic annual renewal and a duty to report if the homeowner becomes ineligible.
• Section 1(e) clarifies the exemption applies only to City of Chickamauga school district education taxes, not county, state, municipal, or school bond debt taxes.
• Section 1(f) sets the exemption to apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
• Section 2 requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and House under the Georgia Constitution for the Act to become law.
• Section 3 requires a November 2025 referendum in the school district, with automatic repeal 365 days after the election if voters reject it or the election is not held.
• Section 4 sets the general effective date as upon the Governor's approval, except for the referendum provisions in Section 3.

1. 2025-03-25House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-21House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-20Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
4. 2025-03-20Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
5. 2025-03-13Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
6. 2025-03-13Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Colton Moore (R, SD-053)Primary sponsor

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 20, 2025

   51 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 1 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #250

• property taxes
• homestead exemption
• school taxes
• City of Chickamauga
• Walker County referendum