HB 834: 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, if the legislature grants them authority to use the state's Redevelopment Powers Law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 44 of Title 36). This bill grants that authority to the City of Cedartown, allowing it to pursue community redevelopment projects and finance them through these special tools. The authorization does not take effect automatically. The bill requires Cedartown's election superintendent to hold a referendum on the November 2025 general election date, asking voters to approve or reject the city's use of these redevelopment powers. If a majority vote yes, the authorization becomes effective immediately. If voters reject it, or if the election is not properly held, the authorization never takes effect and the bill automatically repeals itself the following January 1.

• 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 referendum in Cedartown on the November 2025 election date asking voters to approve or reject the redevelopment authorization.
• Sets an automatic repeal of the authorization if voters reject it or if the referendum is not properly conducted, effective the following January 1.
• Requires the city to pay the cost of holding the referendum and requires the election superintendent to certify results to the Secretary of State.
• Sets the bill's other provisions to take effect upon the Governor's signature or upon becoming law without signature.

Registered voters in the City of Cedartown, who will decide the outcome in the referendum; Cedartown city government and its election superintendent, who must run the vote; and any property owners, developers, or businesses within potential future tax allocation districts in the city.

If approved by voters, Cedartown could create special districts that use future increases in property tax revenue to fund redevelopment projects and pay off bonds. This gives the city a financing tool for revitalization efforts, but only takes effect if a majority of voters say yes in the referendum.

• Section 1 authorizes Cedartown 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 November 2025 election date, specifies the ballot language, and states that the authorization takes effect only if more than half of votes cast are 'yes.'
• Section 2 also provides that if voters reject the measure or the election is not properly held, the authorization is automatically repealed the following January 1.
• Section 3 sets the effective date for the bill's other provisions as upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without signature.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-14Effective Date
2. 2025-05-14Act 339
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. 2025-03-31House Passed/Adopted (House)

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

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 31, 2025

   165 yea, 0 nay (10 not voting, 5 excused)

   Local Calendar Without HBs 851 & 852: House Vote #342

2. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2025

   55 yea, 1 nay

   SUPPLEMENTAL LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR: Senate Vote #400

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