---
title: HB 71. Blackshear, City of; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption
collection: bills
id: 2026-special/hb71
cite_as: HB 71, 2026 Special Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hb71
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hb71.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hb71/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74839
date: 2026-06-23
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 870
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hb71.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 71
session: 2026 Special Session
session_slug: 2026-special
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2026-06-17
last_action: House Lost Reconsidered Bill/Resolution
sponsors:
  - Steven Meeks
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB71/2026/X1
upstream_id: 2154097
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - property taxes
  - homestead exemption
  - local sales tax
  - Pierce County
  - Blackshear
---

# HB 71. Blackshear, City of; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption

## Text

House Bill 71EX
By: Representative Meeks of the 178th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To provide a homestead exemption from City of Blackshear ad valorem taxes in the amount
of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually for the special district
based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) to be
imposed within the special district conterminous with Pierce County; to provide for
definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating
thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional
requirements and the provisions of Article 2C of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A.; to
provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election,
and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
(a) As used in this Act, the term:
(1) "Ad valorem taxes" means all ad valorem taxes imposed by the governing authority
of the city for all purposes.
(2) "City" means the City of Blackshear and its governing authority.
H. B. 71EX
(3) "Homestead property" shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section
48-8-109.50 of the O.C.G.A.
(4) "LHOST" means the special sales and use tax established under Article 2C of
Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A.
(5) "Local tax official" means the tax official charged with the duty of receiving
applications for homestead exemptions for the city.
(6) "Special district" means the special district conterminous with Pierce County and
established by Code Section 48-8-109.51 of the O.C.G.A.
(b) Each resident of the special district is granted an exemption from all ad valorem taxes
imposed by the city for all purposes in the amount of the assessed value of such homestead
property as is determined annually based upon the net proceeds of the sales and use tax
collected under Article 2C of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A. on such person's
homestead property located within the special district determined annually based upon the
net proceeds of the sales and use tax collected within the special district in accordance with
Code Section 48-8-109.57 of the O.C.G.A. for the special district based upon the net
proceeds of the LHOST collected within the special district. The value of such property in
excess of such exempted amount shall remain subject to taxation.
(c) A person shall not receive the homestead exemption granted by subsection (b) of this
section unless such person or person's agent files an application with the local tax official
giving such information relative to receiving such exemption as will enable the local tax
official to make a determination regarding the initial and continuing eligibility of such person
for such exemption; provided, however, that any person who previously applied for another
homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes imposed by the city, was allowed such
homestead exemption for the immediately preceding tax year, and remains eligible for such
homestead exemption for that same homestead property in the current tax year shall be
allowed the exemption granted under subsection (b) of this section for that homestead
H. B. 71EX
without the application otherwise required by this subsection. The local tax official shall
provide application forms for the purposes of this subsection.
(d) The exemption shall be claimed and returned as provided in Code Section 48-5-50.1 of
the O.C.G.A. Once granted to a person, the exemption shall be automatically renewed from
year to year without application so long as the person granted the homestead exemption
under subsection (b) of this section occupies such residence as a homestead and otherwise
remains eligible for such exemption. It shall be the duty of any person granted the
homestead exemption under subsection (b) of this section to notify the local tax official in
the event that such person for any reason becomes ineligible for such exemption.
(e) In accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of Code Section 48-8-109.52 of the
O.C.G.A., the exemption granted by subsection (b) of this section:
(1) Shall not apply to or affect any ad valorem taxes other than those levied by the
governing authority of the local government to which this Act applies;
(2) Shall only apply to those portions of real property located within the special district;
(3) Shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any other homestead exemption applicable
to the homestead property; and
(4) The exemption granted by subsection (b) of this section shall apply to all taxable
years beginning on January 1 of the year subsequent to the approval of this Act in the
referendum provided for in Section 4 of this Act and ending on December 31, 2039.
SECTION 2.
This Act incorporates by reference the terms and conditions specified under Article 2C of
Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A.
H. B. 71EX
SECTION 3.
In accordance with the requirements of Article VII, Section II, Paragraph II(a)(2) of the
Constitution of the State of Georgia, this Act shall not become law unless it receives the
requisite two-thirds' majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
SECTION 4.
(a) The election superintendent of the city shall call and conduct an election as provided in
this section for the purpose of submitting this Act to the electors of the city residing within
the special district for approval or rejection. The election superintendent shall conduct that
election on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November, 2026, and shall issue the
call and conduct that election as provided by general law. The election superintendent shall
cause the date and purpose of the election to be published once a week for two weeks
immediately preceding the date thereof in the official organ of the city. The ballot shall have
written or printed thereon the words:
"( ) YES Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption from City
of Blackshear ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in an amount of the
( ) NO assessed value of the homestead property as is determined annually using
the proceeds of a new 1 percent Local Homestead Option Sales Tax to be
imposed within the special district of Pierce County?"
(b) All persons desiring to vote for approval of the Act shall vote "Yes," and all persons
desiring to vote for rejection of the Act shall vote "No." If more than one-half of the votes
cast on such question are for approval of the Act, Section 1 of this Act shall become of full
force and effect on January 1, 2027. If the Act is not so approved, or if the election is not
conducted as provided in this section, Section 1 of this Act shall not become effective, and
this Act shall be automatically repealed on the 365th calendar day following the election date
provided for in this section. The expense of such election shall be borne by the city. It shall
be the election superintendent's duty to certify the result thereof to the Secretary of State.
H. B. 71EX
(c) The provisions of this section shall be mandatory upon the election superintendent and
are not intended as directory. If the election superintendent fails or refuses to comply with
this section, any elector of the city residing within the special district may apply for a writ
of mandamus to compel the election superintendent to perform his or her duties under this
section. If the court finds that the election superintendent has not complied with this section,
the court shall fashion appropriate relief requiring the election superintendent to call and
conduct such election on the date required by this section or on the next date authorized for
special elections provided for in Code Section 21-2-540 of the O.C.G.A.
SECTION 5.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 4 of this Act, this Act shall become effective upon
its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.
SECTION 6.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
H. B. 71EX

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.

A House bill would give homeowners in the City of Blackshear a break on property taxes for their primary home, funded by a new 1 percent local sales tax in Pierce County, pending voter approval in a November 2026 referendum.

### Plain-language summary

This bill applies only to the City of Blackshear in Pierce County. It would create a homestead exemption (a break on property taxes for a primary home) from the city's property taxes, covering the full assessed value of a homeowner's homestead property within a special tax district that matches Pierce County's boundaries. The money to offset the lost tax revenue would come from a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST), a 1 percent local sales tax authorized under a separate section of Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 48-8-109.50 and related sections).
Homeowners would have to apply for the exemption once, and it would renew automatically each year as long as they remain eligible. The exemption would run from the year after voters approve it through the end of 2039. Because it involves a constitutional homestead exemption, the bill needs a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate, and voters in the special district would decide its fate in a November 2026 referendum. If voters reject it or the election isn't held properly, the bill repeals itself automatically about a year after the election date.

### What it does

- Creates a homestead exemption that eliminates city property taxes on the full assessed value of a homeowner's primary residence within the Pierce County special district.
- Ties the exemption's funding to a new 1 percent Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) collected within the same special district.
- Requires homeowners to apply once for the exemption, after which it renews automatically each year without a new application as long as they stay eligible.
- Sets the exemption to apply starting the year after voter approval and to run through December 31, 2039.
- Requires a two-thirds majority vote in both legislative chambers and a local voter referendum before the exemption can take effect.
- Automatically repeals the entire Act if voters reject it or if the required election is not properly conducted.

### Who it affects

Homeowners in the City of Blackshear who claim their property as a homestead, the city's tax officials who process exemption applications, the city government which loses some property tax revenue, and shoppers in Pierce County who would pay a new 1 percent sales tax.

### Why it matters

If approved by lawmakers and voters, qualifying Blackshear homeowners would see their city property tax bill on their primary home drop substantially, while everyone shopping in Pierce County would pay a slightly higher sales tax to make up the difference in city revenue.

### Key provisions

- Section 1 defines key terms and grants an exemption equal to the assessed value of homestead property, funded by LHOST proceeds collected in the special district conterminous with Pierce County.
- Section 1(c) and (d) set application rules, allowing automatic renewal for people who already had a similar exemption and remain eligible.
- Section 1(e) clarifies the exemption applies only to city ad valorem taxes, only within the special district, is in addition to other homestead exemptions, and runs from the year after voter approval through December 31, 2039.
- Section 3 requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate for the bill to become law, per the Georgia Constitution.
- Section 4 schedules a local referendum for the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026 and lays out the exact ballot language voters will see.
- Section 4(b) provides that if voters reject the measure or the election isn't properly held, the entire Act automatically repeals 365 days after the election date.
- Section 4(c) allows any local elector to seek a court order (writ of mandamus) forcing the election superintendent to hold the required election.

## Status

- Status: Introduced (2026-06-17)
- Last action: House Lost Reconsidered Bill/Resolution (2026-06-23)
- Sponsors: Steven Meeks
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74839

> The history, votes, and amendments (870 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hb71.md?full=1