SB 260: Central State Hospital Redevelopment Authority; create

Central State Hospital in Milledgeville has largely closed, and the state has been working to redevelop its land and buildings. This bill creates a new state agency, the Central State Hospital Redevelopment Authority, to take over that work from the existing Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority, which was created by a 2012 law. The new authority would have five members appointed by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor as President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the governing bodies of Milledgeville and Baldwin County, each serving four-year terms. It can acquire, lease, and sell property, issue revenue bonds under Georgia's Revenue Bond Law, hire staff, and contract with local governments to manage the redevelopment project. The authority is exempt from state taxes and must have independent financial audits each year. It inherits all contracts, property, and debts of the old local authority. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• Creates a new state body, the Central State Hospital Redevelopment Authority, to manage redevelopment of the former hospital property in Milledgeville.
• Transfers all powers, property, contracts, and debts of the existing Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority (created in 2012) to the new authority.
• Sets up a five-member board appointed by the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, Milledgeville's government, and Baldwin County's government, each serving four-year terms.
• Gives the authority power to buy, sell, lease property, issue revenue bonds, and contract with local governments to carry out redevelopment.
• Exempts the authority's property, activities, and bonds from state taxes, though tenants and lessees are not covered by this exemption.
• Requires an independent annual financial audit, with public notice if the authority fails to complete or file it.

The bill directly affects the City of Milledgeville and Baldwin County governments, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, members of the old and new redevelopment authorities, and any businesses, developers, or residents involved in using or leasing the former hospital property.

The change determines who controls and can profit from redeveloping a large piece of state property in Milledgeville. Replacing the local authority with a new state-appointed board shifts oversight of contracts, leases, and future development decisions toward state-level appointees rather than purely local control.

• Section 50-41-1 defines key terms, including what counts as a 'project' and what property is excluded (property still used by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities).
• Section 50-41-3 creates the authority as a body corporate and politic with five appointed members serving four-year terms and sets rules for meetings, vacancies, and conflicts of interest.
• Section 50-41-5 lists the authority's powers, including acquiring and selling property, issuing bonds, hiring staff, and contracting with governments and private parties.
• Section 50-41-6 requires the authority to follow Georgia's Revenue Bond Law (O.C.G.A. Title 36, Chapter 82, Article 3) when issuing bonds.
• Section 50-41-7 requires an annual independent financial audit, with public notice through Baldwin County's legal organ if the authority fails to complete or file it.
• Section 50-41-9 exempts the authority's property, income, and bonds from state taxation, except for taxes owed by tenants or lessees and sales and use taxes on its purchases.
• Section 50-41-15 transfers all powers, property, contracts, and debts from the 2012 Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority to the new authority.
• Section 2 states the Act takes effect once signed by the Governor or allowed to become law without his signature.

1. 2026-03-27House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
3. 2025-04-04House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
4. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
5. 2025-03-18House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
6. 2025-03-11House Second Readers (House)
7. 2025-03-10House First Readers (House)
8. 2025-03-06Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)

• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)Primary sponsor
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Brandon Beach (R, SD-021)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Beth Camp (R, HD-135)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

   52 yea, 1 nay (3 not voting, 0 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #203

• Central State Hospital redevelopment
• Milledgeville economic development
• state authorities
• Baldwin County
• surplus state property