House Bill 1280
By: Representatives Carpenter of the 4th, Ridley of the 6th, and Tarvin of the 2nd
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 1 of Article 5 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to equalization of assessments, so as to provide for the General Assembly
to allow by local Act for the election of a county's chief appraiser; to provide for the election,
commission, removal, term, qualifications, vacancies, oath, duties, and compensation of such
chief appraisers; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Part 1 of Article 5 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to equalization of assessments, is amended by revising Code Section 48-5-264,
relating to designation and duties of chief appraiser, as follows:
"48-5-264.
(a) <ins>Unless an elected chief appraiser is provided for by a local Act adopted pursuant to
Code Section 48-5-264.2, the</ins> <del>The</del> board of tax assessors in each county shall designate an
Appraiser IV or, in those counties not having an Appraiser IV, an Appraiser III as the chief
appraiser of the county. The chief appraiser, <ins>whether elected or appointed,</ins> shall be
responsible for:
(1) The operation and functioning of the county property appraisal staff;
(2) Certifying and signing documents prepared by the staff; and
(3) Implementing procedures deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the staff.
(b) The chief appraiser may appoint an assistant and may delegate his authority in writing
to the assistant.
(c) The chief appraiser may be a member of the county board of tax assessors.
(d) The chief appraiser shall ensure that every parcel in his or her respective county is
appraised at least every three years."
SECTION 2.
Said part is further amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
<ins>"48-5-264.2.
(a) The General Assembly by local Act may provide for the election of the chief appraiser
of a county. Elected chief appraisers shall be elected, commissioned, and removed in the
same manner as clerks of the superior courts; and elected chief appraisers shall hold their
offices for a term of four years and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. An
elected chief appraiser shall meet the qualifications of an appraiser as provided for in
subsection (a) of Code Section 48-5-263 no later than 60 days following his or her election;
and in the event such qualification is not obtained within the time provided the office shall
be vacated.
(b)(1) No person shall be eligible to offer for election to or to hold the elected office of
chief appraiser unless he or she:
(A) Is a citizen of the United States;
</ins>
<ins>(B) Is a resident of the county in which he or she seeks the elected office of chief
appraiser for at least one year prior to his or her qualifying for the election to such
office and remains a resident of such county during his or her term of office;
(C) Is a registered voter;
(D) Has attained the age of 25 years prior to the date of the general primary in the year
he or she qualifies for election to the office of chief appraiser; and
(E) Has not been convicted of a felony offense or any offense involving moral
turpitude contrary to the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States.
(2) Each person offering his or her candidacy for the elected office of chief appraiser
shall file an affidavit with the officer before whom such person has qualified to seek the
elected office of chief appraiser prior to or at the time for qualifying and such affidavit
shall affirm that he or she meets all of the qualifications required pursuant to paragraph
(1) of this subsection.
(c) Whenever an election fails to fill the elected office of chief appraiser, or in the event
a vacancy occurs is such elected office, the board of assessors of the county shall appoint
a person to serve as the chief appraiser until a successor is duly elected in a special
election, which shall be held on the next available special election date provided for in
subsection (c) of Code Section 21-2-540, to serve out the remainder of the unexpired term.
(d) Before beginning the duties of the elected office of chief appraiser, an elected chief
appraiser shall take the oath required of all civil officers.
(e) Except as otherwise provided for in this Code section, an elected chief appraiser shall
have the same powers, duties, and obligations as a chief appraiser appointed pursuant to
Code Section 48-5-264.
(f) The local Act provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section shall also provide for
the compensation of an elected chief appraiser."
</ins>
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.