HB 462: Toombs County; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum

Under the Georgia Constitution and the state's Redevelopment Powers Law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 44 of Title 36), counties must get specific authorization from the General Assembly, along with voter approval, before they can use tools like tax allocation districts and tax allocation bonds to fund redevelopment projects. This bill grants that authorization to Toombs County. The law would only take effect if approved by Toombs County voters in a referendum held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2025. The ballot asks voters to approve or reject giving the county these redevelopment powers. If a majority votes yes, the authorization becomes effective immediately. If voters reject it or the election is not properly held, the entire Act is automatically repealed on January 1 following the election. Toombs County must pay for the election and report results to the Secretary of State.

• Authorizes Toombs County to use all powers under Georgia's Redevelopment Powers Law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 44 of Title 36), including creating tax allocation districts and issuing tax allocation bonds.
• Requires the Toombs County election superintendent to hold a referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2025 asking voters to approve or reject the authorization.
• Sets specific ballot language asking voters whether to approve the county exercising redevelopment powers.
• Makes the authorization take effect immediately if a majority of voters approve it, but automatically repeals the entire Act on January 1 following the election if voters reject it or the election is not properly conducted.
• Requires public notice of the election date and purpose in the county's official legal newspaper at set intervals before the vote.
• Places the cost of holding the election on Toombs County and requires certification of results to the Georgia Secretary of State.

Toombs County government and its election superintendent, who must organize and pay for the referendum; Toombs County voters, who decide the outcome; and future developers, bondholders, or property owners in any tax allocation districts the county might create if voters approve.

If voters approve, Toombs County could use tax allocation bonds and special districts to fund redevelopment projects, a financing tool not otherwise available without this state authorization. If voters reject it, the county gains no new powers and the law disappears from the books.

• Section 1 authorizes Toombs County to exercise all powers under the Redevelopment Powers Law, including creating tax allocation districts and issuing tax allocation bonds.
• Section 2 requires a countywide referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2025, with specific ballot wording and public notice requirements.
• Section 2 provides that the authorization takes effect immediately upon majority voter approval, but the entire Act is automatically repealed on January 1 following the election if rejected or if the election is not properly held.
• Section 3 sets the general effective date as upon the Governor's approval or the law taking effect without signature, except as modified by the referendum outcome in Section 2.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-14Effective Date
2. 2025-05-14Act 319
3. 2025-05-14House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-03Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-03Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2025-02-24Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2025-02-21House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Leesa Hagan (R, HD-156)Primary sponsor

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 21, 2025

   170 yea, 0 nay (7 not voting, 3 excused)

   Local Calendar: House Vote #58

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 3, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 0 excused)

   LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR: Senate Vote #114

• Toombs County
• local government finance
• redevelopment powers
• tax allocation districts
• local referendum