HB 55: Valdosta, City of; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption

Right now, Valdosta homeowners pay city property taxes on the full assessed value of their homes, minus any existing exemptions. This bill would add a new homestead exemption equal to the assessed value of a home, effectively offsetting city property taxes for homeowners in the special tax district that covers Lowndes County. The lost city revenue would be replaced by money from a new 1 percent Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) collected within that district. Homeowners would need to apply once through the local tax official, and the exemption would then renew automatically each year as long as they remain eligible. The exemption would only apply to city taxes, not to county or school taxes, and would run from the year after voter approval through the end of 2038. Because it involves a constitutional homestead option, the bill needs a two-thirds vote in the General Assembly and must also be approved by Valdosta voters in a November 2026 referendum before it takes effect on January 1, 2027.

• Creates a new homestead exemption from Valdosta city property taxes equal to the full assessed value of a qualifying homeowner's home.
• Funds the exemption using proceeds from a new 1 percent Local Homestead Option Sales Tax collected in the special district covering Lowndes County.
• Requires homeowners to file one application with the local tax official, after which the exemption renews automatically each year without reapplying.
• Limits the exemption to city taxes only, keeps it separate from other homestead exemptions, and sets it to run from 2027 through the end of 2038.
• Requires approval by two-thirds of the General Assembly and by Valdosta voters in a November 2026 referendum before taking effect.

Homeowners in Valdosta who live within the special tax district covering Lowndes County, the City of Valdosta's government and tax office, county election officials who must run the referendum, and shoppers and businesses in the district who would pay the new local sales tax.

If voters approve it, eligible Valdosta homeowners would see their city property tax bill largely offset through 2038, while everyone shopping or making purchases in the Lowndes County special district would pay an extra 1 percent sales tax to cover the lost city revenue.

• Section 1 defines terms like 'homestead property' and 'special district' and grants the exemption, tying its funding to the new LHOST proceeds under O.C.G.A. Article 2C of Chapter 8 of Title 48.
• Section 1(c)-(d) sets the application process, allowing automatic renewal for homeowners already approved and previously eligible.
• Section 1(e) limits the exemption to city taxes only, applies it only within the special district, and sets it to run from the year after voter approval through December 31, 2038.
• Section 3 requires the bill to pass with a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate under the Georgia Constitution.
• Section 4 schedules a referendum for the November 2026 general election, sets the ballot language, and states the exemption takes effect January 1, 2027 only if voters approve it.
• Section 4(b) provides that if voters reject the measure or the election isn't held as required, the entire Act is automatically repealed 365 days after the election date.
• Section 5 sets the general effective date as upon the Governor's approval, except for the referendum-dependent provisions in Section 4.

1. 2026-06-22House Lost Reconsidered Bill/Resolution (House)
2. 2026-06-22House Reconsidered (House)
3. 2026-06-20House Notice to Reconsider (House)
4. 2026-06-20House Third Reading Lost (House)
5. 2026-06-20House Third Readers (House)
6. 2026-06-20House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
7. 2026-06-18House Second Readers (House)
8. 2026-06-17House First Readers (House)

• John LaHood (R, HD-175)Primary sponsor
• John Corbett (R, HD-174)
• James Burchett (R, HD-176)
• Alvin Payton (D, HD-177)

1. PassedHouse voteJune 20, 2026

   95 yea, 67 nay (5 not voting, 12 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #5

2. PassedHouse voteJune 22, 2026

   97 yea, 75 nay (1 not voting, 6 absent)

   Local Calendar: House Vote #9

3. PassedHouse voteJune 22, 2026

   99 yea, 74 nay (1 not voting, 5 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #10

• property taxes
• homestead exemption
• Valdosta
• Lowndes County
• local sales tax