HB848: HB848 Polk County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption

This bill sets up a local homestead exemption (a break on property taxes for a primary home) from Polk County school district property taxes, sized by the homeowner's age. Residents 65 to 69 would get the greater of 50 percent or $60,000 off their home's assessed value; residents 70 to 76 would get the greater of 75 percent or $80,000 off; and residents 77 and older would get a full exemption on homes valued up to $500,000. The exemption only covers school taxes and does not apply to state, county, municipal, or independent school district taxes. For 2026, total exemptions claimed under the bill are capped at $150 million countywide; if claims exceed that, each senior's exemption is reduced proportionally. Homeowners must apply once with the Polk County tax commissioner, after which the exemption renews automatically. The bill requires a two-thirds vote in the General Assembly and must be approved by Polk County school district voters in a November 2025 referendum before taking effect on January 1, 2026; if voters reject it, the whole Act repeals itself a year after the election.

• Creates a tiered homestead exemption from Polk County school district property taxes based on the homeowner's age: 65-69, 70-76, and 77 or older each get a different exemption amount.
• Caps the full exemption for residents 77 and older to homes with an appraised fair market value of $500,000 or less.
• Sets a $150 million annual cap on total exemptions claimed under the Act in 2026, with proportional reductions if claims exceed that amount.
• Requires homeowners to apply once with the Polk County tax commissioner, after which the exemption renews automatically each year without reapplying.
• Requires a November 2025 referendum of Polk County school district voters before the exemption can take effect, with automatic repeal of the whole Act if voters reject it or no election is held.
• Excludes state, county, municipal, and independent school district taxes from the exemption, limiting it strictly to Polk County school district taxes.

Homeowners age 65 and older living within the Polk County school district, the Polk County tax commissioner's office, which processes applications, and the Polk County election superintendent, who must conduct the required referendum.

If approved by voters, qualifying senior homeowners in the Polk County school district would see a significant reduction, or in some cases elimination, of their school property tax bill, with the size of the break increasing with age, while other taxpayers and services funded by the aggregate cap could be affected once total exemptions approach $150 million.

• Section 1 defines the exemption tiers by age (65-69, 70-76, 77 and older) and sets the $150 million aggregate exemption cap for 2026 with proportional reductions if exceeded.
• Section 1(c) and (d) require a one-time application with the Polk County tax commissioner, with automatic annual renewal as long as the homeowner still qualifies.
• Section 1(e) clarifies the exemption applies only to Polk County school district educational taxes, not state, county, municipal, or independent school district taxes.
• Section 2 requires a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of the General Assembly for the Act to become law, per the Georgia Constitution.
• Section 3 requires a November 2025 referendum of Polk County school district voters; approval triggers the exemption on January 1, 2026, while rejection or a failed election triggers automatic repeal 365 days after the election.
• Section 4 sets the general effective date as upon the Governor's approval or becoming law without signature, except for the referendum-dependent Section 1.

1. 2025-05-14Effective Date 2025-05-14
2. 2025-05-14Act 347
3. 2025-05-14House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-08House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-04-02Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2025-03-31Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2025-03-31House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)Primary sponsor

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 31, 2025

   165 yea, 0 nay (10 not voting, 5 absent)

   Local Calendar Without Hbs 851 & 852: House Vote #342

2. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2025

   55 yea, 1 nay

   Supplemental Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #400

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