HB 281: Ad valorem tax; property; change certain definitions

Georgia law lets some land, mainly farmland and conservation property, be taxed based on its 'current use value' rather than its full market value. This bill rewrites the definition of 'current use value' found in O.C.G.A. § 48-5-2, the section of Georgia's property tax code that defines key terms. Under the new wording, current use value means the amount a knowledgeable buyer would pay for the property intending to keep using it the same way, in an honest, arm's length sale, with the exact figure worked out using the criteria already spelled out in O.C.G.A. § 48-5-269(b). The bill does not change tax rates or eligibility for the conservation use program itself; it only updates how the value used for that program is defined. It would take effect immediately if the Governor signs it or lets it become law without a signature.

• Rewrites the definition of 'current use value' for bona fide conservation use property in Georgia's property tax code (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-2).
• Ties the definition directly to the valuation criteria already set out in O.C.G.A. § 48-5-269(b), rather than restating separate standards.
• Keeps the basic concept that value is based on a knowledgeable buyer's price for continuing the property's existing use in an honest sale.
• Sets the effective date as whenever the Governor signs the bill or it otherwise becomes law without a signature.

Owners of farmland, timberland, and other property enrolled in Georgia's conservation use valuation program, along with county tax assessors and boards of equalization who apply the definition when calculating property tax bills for that land.

Because conservation use property is taxed on this special 'current use value' rather than market value, how the term is defined can affect the tax bills landowners receive. Linking the definition more clearly to existing valuation criteria could reduce disputes over how assessors calculate that value.

• Section 1 revises paragraph (1) of O.C.G.A. § 48-5-2 to redefine 'current use value' for bona fide conservation use property.
• The new definition requires the value to reflect what a knowledgeable buyer would pay for the property intending to continue its existing use, in an arm's length sale.
• The definition specifies that the value must be determined according to the specifications and criteria in subsection (b) of O.C.G.A. § 48-5-269.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as the date of the Governor's approval or the date the bill becomes law without approval.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-02-10House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-06House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-05House Hopper (House)

• Vance Smith (R, HD-138)Primary sponsor
• Bruce Williamson (R, HD-112)
• Shaw Blackmon (R, HD-146)
• Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)
• Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)

• property taxes
• conservation use valuation
• farmland taxation
• ad valorem tax