HB 282: Ad valorem tax; property; change certain definitions

Georgia law gives owners of conservation use property, mainly farmland and forestland kept in that use, a special property tax valuation method instead of the standard fair market value approach. That special method relies on a defined term called "current use value." This bill amends Georgia's ad valorem tax code (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-2) by rewriting the definition of "current use value." Under the revised definition, current use value means the amount a knowledgeable buyer would pay for the property intending to keep it in its existing use, in an arm's length transaction, determined according to the specifications and criteria in O.C.G.A. § 48-5-269(b). The bill does not change tax rates or the conservation use program itself, only the wording of this definition. It would take effect immediately upon the Governor's signature or upon becoming law without signature.

• Rewrites the definition of "current use value" in Georgia's property tax code (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-2) for bona fide conservation use property.
• Ties the definition explicitly to the valuation criteria already laid out in O.C.G.A. § 48-5-269(b).
• Sets the effective date as the moment the Governor signs the bill or it otherwise becomes law without signature.
• Repeals any existing state laws that conflict with the revised definition.

Owners of land classified as bona fide conservation use property, mainly farmers, foresters, and other landowners who qualify for Georgia's conservation use valuation program, along with county tax assessors and appraisers who apply this definition when calculating property tax bills.

Because "current use value" determines how conservation use property is taxed instead of market value, a change to its definition could affect how assessors calculate tax bills for qualifying farmland and forestland, though the bill keeps the valuation tied to the same existing statutory criteria.

• Section 1 revises paragraph (1) of O.C.G.A. § 48-5-2 to redefine "current use value" for conservation use property.
• Section 1 specifies the value is what a knowledgeable buyer would pay intending to continue the property's existing use in an arm's length, bona fide sale.
• Section 1 requires that value be determined according to the specifications and criteria in O.C.G.A. § 48-5-269(b).
• Section 2 makes the Act effective upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without approval.
• Section 3 repeals 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 property
• farmland taxation
• ad valorem tax