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:
<ins>"ARTICLE 14
50-8-320.
As used in this article, the term:
</ins>
<ins>(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
</ins>
<ins>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.
</ins>
<ins>(g) The department shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be reasonable and
necessary for the administration of this article."
</ins> SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.