HB 802: Cedartown, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum

Georgia law lets cities use special redevelopment tools, such as creating tax allocation districts and issuing tax allocation bonds, under the state's Redevelopment Powers Law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 44 of Title 36) and a related provision of the Georgia Constitution. The City of Cedartown does not currently have this authority, and this bill would grant it. The grant of power is not automatic. The bill requires Cedartown's election superintendent to hold a referendum, originally set for the Tuesday after the third Tuesday in June 2025, asking voters to approve or reject the change. If a majority vote yes, the redevelopment powers take effect immediately. If voters reject it, or the election is not held as described, the bill is automatically repealed the following January 1. The city must pay for the election, and the result must be certified to the Georgia Secretary of State.

• Authorizes the City of Cedartown 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 local referendum in Cedartown where voters must approve the measure before it takes legal effect.
• Sets an automatic repeal of the authorization if voters reject it or if the election is not conducted as the bill requires.
• Requires the election superintendent to publish notice of the election in Polk County's official legal organ on a set schedule before the vote.
• Makes the city responsible for paying the cost of holding the referendum.
• Requires the election superintendent to certify the referendum results to the Georgia Secretary of State.

Registered voters in the City of Cedartown, who decide the outcome by referendum; city government officials, who would gain new redevelopment and bond-issuing authority if approved; and Polk County's election administration, which is tied to the notice and vote procedures.

If Cedartown voters approve the referendum, city officials could pursue redevelopment projects funded partly through tax allocation districts and bonds, a financing tool many Georgia cities use to spur downtown or blighted-area development. If voters reject it, the city gains no new powers and the law disappears.

• Section 1 grants Cedartown authority to exercise all powers under the Redevelopment Powers Law, including creating tax allocation districts and issuing tax allocation bonds.
• Section 2 requires a referendum on the Tuesday after the third Tuesday in June 2025, with notice published in Polk County's official legal organ 90 days before and weekly for two weeks before the vote.
• Section 2 specifies that the authorization takes effect immediately if a majority vote yes, and that the entire Act is automatically repealed the following January 1 if voters reject it or the election is not properly held.
• Section 3 sets the general effective date as upon the Governor's approval or the bill becoming law without signature, except for the referendum provisions in Section 2.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-14Effective Date
2. 2025-05-14Act 328
3. 2025-05-14House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-08House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-04-02Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2025-03-31Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2025-03-28House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Trey Kelley (R, HD-16)Primary sponsor

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 28, 2025

   160 yea, 0 nay (8 not voting, 12 excused)

   Local Calendar: House Vote #332

2. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2025

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

   LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR: Senate Vote #381

• redevelopment powers
• tax allocation districts
• local referendum
• Cedartown
• municipal bonds