Georgia CommonsHB 1451: Community Affairs, Department of; local governments and nonprofit organizations to incentivize households to relocate from outside this state to local governments in this state; provide
Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action March 3, 2026 · Introduced
The text as LegiScan holds it, read from the PDF the legislature publishes with its margin line numbers, running heads, and page footers removed. Line breaks are joined into paragraphs here; no word is changed.
Underlined words are what the bill adds to current law and struck-through words are what it removes, as the printed bill shows them.
House Bill 1451
By: Representatives Dempsey of the 13th, Hagan of the 156th, Rice of the 139th, Greene of the 154th, and Campbell of the 171st
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 8 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Community Affairs, so as to provide for local governments and nonprofit organizations to incentivize households to relocate from outside this state to local governments in this state; to provide for a grant program administered by the Department of Community Affairs; to provide for eligibility criteria; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 8 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Community Affairs, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows: "ARTICLE 14
50-8-320.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) 'Department' means the Department of Community Affairs.
(2) 'Household' means one or more individuals who live together within the same dwelling.
(3) 'Household goal' means the total number of households that a local government or nonprofit organization seeks to relocate from outside this state to a local government in this state.
(4) 'Local government' means a county, city, or consolidated government in this state.
(5) 'Nonprofit organization' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section
50-18-160.
50-8-321.
(a) Subject to appropriations, the department shall create and administer a talent recruitment program for the purpose of awarding grants to incentivize households to relocate from outside this state to a local government in this state. Such grants shall be awarded to local governments and nonprofit organizations with a stated mission that includes economic development, workforce and talent development, or community development.
(b) Local governments and nonprofit organizations applying for such grants shall submit a talent recruitment plan that includes the following:
(1) The total estimated cost of the talent recruitment program and the individual estimated costs associated with such program's design, administration, marketing, and relocation incentive initiatives;
(2) Such program's household goal and the estimated total grant amount per household;
(3) Such program's estimated state and local tax impact; and
(4) Such program's estimated total economic impact.
(c) Local governments and nonprofit organizations applying for such grants shall be required to demonstrate the ability to contribute at least 20 percent of the total talent recruitment program cost. Such contribution may include local investments and in-kind donations.
(d) Each local government and nonprofit organization receiving a grant shall provide semiannual reports to the department containing the following information:
(1) The total number of household applications;
(2) The total number of approved households;
(3) The costs per approved household;
(4) The annual incomes and occupations of approved households;
(5) The economic impact of the talent recruitment program, including state and local tax revenue and new consumer spending; and
(6) Verification of eligibility for moved and committed to move households.
(e) A household shall be eligible for talent recruitment program incentives if such household:
(1) Resides outside of this state at the time the household applies for talent recruitment program incentives;
(2) Has a household income of at least $55,000.00; and
(3) Submits an application to the local government or nonprofit organization grant recipient to receive talent recruitment program incentives.
(f) The department shall disburse 50 percent of the total grant award upon entering into a grant contract and 50 percent of the total grant award upon the local government or nonprofit organization reporting to the department that it has successfully met half of the household goal stated in the talent recruitment plan. If the local government or nonprofit organization fails to meet half of its stated household goal, the department shall not disburse the remainder of the grant award. In order for a previous local government or nonprofit organization grant recipient to be eligible for any subsequent grants, such local government or nonprofit organization shall have met the household goal stated in its prior grant application.
(g) The department shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be reasonable and necessary for the administration of this article."
SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.