HB 359: Cedartown, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum

Georgia law lets cities use special redevelopment tools, such as designating tax allocation districts and issuing tax allocation bonds, but only if the General Assembly passes a local law authorizing that specific city to do so under the state's Redevelopment Powers Law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 36-44). This bill grants that authority to the City of Cedartown. The authorization only takes effect if Cedartown voters approve it in a referendum, originally scheduled for the Tuesday after the third Tuesday in March 2025. If more than half of the votes cast favor the measure, the redevelopment powers become effective immediately. If voters reject it, or the election is not held as required, the authorizing section is automatically repealed the following January 1. The rest of the bill takes effect once the Governor signs it or it becomes law without his signature.

• Authorizes the City of Cedartown to use all powers under Georgia's Redevelopment Powers Law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 36-44), including creating tax allocation districts and issuing tax allocation bonds.
• Requires a local referendum where Cedartown voters must approve the authorization by a majority of votes cast before it takes effect.
• Sets rules for publicizing the election, including newspaper notice 90 days before and weekly notices for two weeks before the vote.
• Automatically repeals the authorization on the following January 1 if voters reject it or the election is not properly held.
• Requires the election superintendent to certify the results to the Georgia Secretary of State.

Cedartown city government and officials, Cedartown voters who decide the referendum, the Polk County election superintendent who runs the vote, and potentially future developers, bondholders, and property owners within any tax allocation districts the city might create.

If approved by voters, Cedartown could use tax increment financing tools like tax allocation bonds to fund redevelopment projects, a financing option currently unavailable to the city without this specific state authorization. If voters reject it, the city gains no new powers and the law expires.

• Section 1 grants Cedartown authority to exercise all powers under the Redevelopment Powers Law, including creating tax allocation districts, issuing tax allocation bonds, and incurring related obligations.
• Section 2 requires a referendum held on the Tuesday after the third Tuesday in March 2025, with specific newspaper publication requirements in Polk County's official legal organ.
• Section 2 specifies the exact ballot language voters will see, framed as a yes or no question on approving the redevelopment powers.
• Section 2 states the authorization becomes effective immediately if more than half of votes cast are in favor, but automatically repeals on the following January 1 if rejected or if the election isn't properly conducted.
• Section 3 sets the general effective date as upon the Governor's approval or the bill becoming law without signature, except for the referendum-dependent Section 1.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-02-25Effective Date 2025-02-25
2. 2025-02-25Act 2
3. 2025-02-25House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-02-24House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-02-19Senate Transmitted House (Senate)
6. 2025-02-19Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
7. 2025-02-19Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
8. 2025-02-18Senate Read and Referred (Senate)

• Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)Primary sponsor

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 13, 2025

   163 yea, 0 nay (11 not voting, 6 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #32

2. PassedSenate voteFebruary 19, 2025

   51 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 3 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #62

• Cedartown redevelopment
• tax allocation districts
• local referendum
• Polk County
• municipal financing