HB 735: Lyons, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum

Currently the City of Lyons does not have authority under Georgia's Redevelopment Powers Law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 44 of Title 36), which lets local governments create special districts to fund redevelopment projects using future tax revenue growth. This bill would grant the city that authority, letting it undertake community redevelopment, create tax allocation districts, issue tax allocation bonds, and take on related financial obligations under the Georgia Constitution's redevelopment provisions. The grant of power does not take effect automatically. Section 2 requires the Lyons election superintendent to hold a referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2025, asking voters to approve or reject the authorization. If a majority vote yes, the power takes effect immediately. If voters reject it or the election is not properly held, the authorization never takes effect and the whole Act is automatically repealed the following January 1. The city must pay for the election and certify results to the Secretary of State.

• Authorizes the City of Lyons 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 a city referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2025 before the authorization can take effect.
• Sets the exact ballot wording voters will see asking them to approve or reject the redevelopment powers.
• Makes the grant of power effective immediately if a majority of voters approve it in the referendum.
• Automatically repeals the entire Act on the following January 1 if voters reject it or the election is not properly conducted.
• Requires the city to pay for the election and the election superintendent to certify results to the Secretary of State.

Registered voters in the City of Lyons, who will decide the outcome in the November 2025 referendum; city government officials and the election superintendent, who must conduct the vote; and future developers, property owners, or bondholders who could be involved in redevelopment projects if the city gains this authority.

If voters approve it, Lyons could pursue redevelopment projects funded through tax allocation districts and bonds, tools other Georgia cities already use to spur development without raising general taxes. If voters reject it or the vote fails to occur properly, the city gains no new authority and the law disappears.

• Section 1 grants the City of Lyons authority to exercise all powers under the Redevelopment Powers Law and the related constitutional provision (Article IX, Section II, Paragraph VII(b)).
• Section 2 requires a referendum on November 4, 2025 (the Tuesday after the first Monday in November), with specific public notice requirements in Toombs County's official legal organ.
• Section 2 sets the exact ballot language voters will see and specifies that a simple majority of votes cast decides the outcome.
• Section 2 provides that if voters reject the measure or the election is not properly conducted, the Act is automatically repealed the following January 1.
• Section 3 sets the general effective date as upon the Governor's approval or the Act becoming law without signature, except where Section 2 controls.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-14Effective Date
2. 2025-05-14Act 320
3. 2025-05-14House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-28Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-28Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2025-03-20Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2025-03-18House Passed/Adopted (House)

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

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 18, 2025

   171 yea, 0 nay (6 not voting, 3 excused)

   Local Calendar: House Vote #279

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 28, 2025

   53 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 2 excused)

   LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR: Senate Vote #313

• local government powers
• redevelopment
• tax allocation districts
• city referendum
• Lyons Georgia