SB356: SB356 Polk County; school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes; provide homestead exemption

This bill sets up a tiered homestead exemption from Polk County school district property taxes for educational purposes, based on the age of the homeowner. Residents 65 to 69 years old would get an exemption of the greater of 50 percent or $60,000 of their home's assessed value. Those 70 to 76 would get the greater of 75 percent or $80,000. Residents 77 and older would get a full exemption on homes worth up to $500,000 in fair market value. For 2026, total exemptions claimed under the law are capped at $150 million; if claims exceed that, each senior's exemption is reduced proportionally. Homeowners must apply through the Polk County tax commissioner, and once approved the exemption renews automatically. The change requires a two-thirds vote in the General Assembly and approval by Polk County school district voters in a November 2025 referendum before taking effect on January 1, 2026; otherwise it is automatically repealed.

• Creates a homestead exemption from Polk County school district property taxes for residents 65 and older, scaled by age.
• Sets the exemption at the greater of 50 percent or $60,000 of assessed value for ages 65-69, and 75 percent or $80,000 for ages 70-76.
• Grants a full property tax exemption on homes valued up to $500,000 for residents 77 and older.
• Caps total exemptions claimed under the law at $150 million in 2026, reducing individual exemptions proportionally if claims exceed that amount.
• Requires homeowners to apply once with the Polk County tax commissioner, after which the exemption renews automatically each year.
• Requires voter approval in a November 2025 referendum before the exemption can take effect, with automatic repeal if voters reject it.

Homeowners age 65 and older living in the Polk County school district, the Polk County tax commissioner's office, the Polk County school district's tax revenue, and voters in the Polk County school district who will decide the referendum in November 2025.

Eligible older homeowners in Polk County could see a substantial cut in their school district property tax bill, with the reduction growing larger as they age. Because the total benefit is capped at $150 million in 2026, individual exemptions could shrink if demand is high enough, and the whole change depends on voters approving it.

• Section 1 defines the exemption amounts for three age brackets (65-69, 70-76, and 77+) and requires an application filed with the Polk County tax commissioner.
• Section 1(b)(4) caps total 2026 exemptions at $150 million, with proportional reductions if claims exceed that cap.
• Section 1(e) clarifies the exemption applies only to Polk County school district taxes for education, not state, county, municipal, or independent school district taxes.
• Section 2 requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the Georgia House and Senate for the Act to become law.
• Section 3 calls for a November 2025 referendum in the Polk County school district, with the Act taking effect January 1, 2026 if approved.
• Section 3 provides for automatic repeal 365 days after the election if voters reject the measure or the election is not held.
• Section 4 sets the Act's general effective date as approval by the Governor, except for the referendum-dependent Section 1.

1. 2025-04-02House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-31House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
4. 2025-03-31Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
5. 2025-03-27Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
6. 2025-03-25Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)Primary sponsor

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2025

   49 yea, 0 nay (5 not voting, 2 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #339

• property taxes
• homestead exemption
• Polk County
• school district funding
• senior citizens