HB 62: Cochran, City of; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption

This bill applies only to the City of Cochran and the special tax district that covers all of Bleckley County. It would create a homestead exemption, a break on property taxes for a primary home, from all City of Cochran property taxes. The exempted amount each year would equal the assessed value of a homestead, paid for using money raised by a new 1 percent Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) collected in the district. Homeowners would need to apply once with the local tax official, and the exemption would then renew automatically as long as they stay eligible. It would stack on top of any other homestead exemption a homeowner already has. Because it changes local taxation, the bill needs a two thirds vote in both the House and Senate, then must be approved by Cochran voters in a November 2026 referendum before taking effect January 1, 2027. If voters reject it, the bill repeals itself automatically. The exemption would run through the end of 2039.

• Creates a homestead exemption from all City of Cochran property taxes equal to the assessed value of a homestead, funded by proceeds from a new local sales tax.
• Requires the new tax funding this exemption to be a 1 percent Local Homestead Option Sales Tax collected within the special district covering Bleckley County.
• Requires homeowners to apply once with the local tax official, after which the exemption renews automatically each year without reapplying.
• Makes the exemption additional to, not a replacement for, any other homestead exemption a homeowner already receives.
• Requires a November 2026 referendum of Cochran voters within the special district before the exemption can take effect, and sets the exemption to run through December 31, 2039.
• Automatically repeals the entire Act if voters reject it or if the election is not properly held.

Homeowners who live in the City of Cochran within the Bleckley County special tax district, the city's local tax official who processes applications, the city's election superintendent who must run the referendum, and shoppers in the district who would pay the new 1 percent sales tax.

If approved by voters, homeowners in the district would see a reduction or elimination of their City of Cochran property tax bill, while everyone shopping in the district would pay an extra 1 percent in sales tax to cover the lost revenue. The change hinges entirely on the November 2026 vote.

• Section 1 defines key terms and grants the exemption, tying its dollar value each year to net proceeds of the new LHOST collected in the special district.
• Section 1(c)-(d) sets application rules: homeowners must file once with the local tax official, and the exemption then renews automatically each year.
• Section 1(e) clarifies the exemption applies only to city taxes, only within the special district, stacks with other exemptions, and runs from the year after voter approval through December 31, 2039.
• Section 3 requires a two thirds vote of both the House and Senate for the Act to become law, as required by the Georgia Constitution.
• Section 4 requires a referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026, with exact ballot language specified, and sets the effective date of January 1, 2027 if approved.
• Section 4(b) provides that if voters reject the Act or the election is not held properly, the Act is automatically repealed 365 days after the election date.
• Section 4(c) allows any elector to seek a court order (writ of mandamus) forcing the election superintendent to hold the election if they fail to do so.

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)

• Danny Mathis (R, HD-133)Primary sponsor

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
• Cochran
• Bleckley County
• local sales tax