HB1074: HB1074 Suwanee, City of; ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption

This bill creates a new homestead exemption for people who own and live in a home within the City of Suwanee. It would exempt $15,000 of the assessed value of a homestead from City of Suwanee ad valorem (property) taxes that fund municipal purposes, including taxes used to pay off municipal bonds. Homeowners would need to apply once through the city, and the exemption would then renew automatically each year as long as they keep living there. The exemption would not reduce state taxes, Gwinnett County taxes, or school district taxes, only the city's municipal tax. Because it changes local tax law, the Georgia Constitution requires the bill to pass with a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers, and it also must be approved by Suwanee voters in a referendum set for November 2026. If approved, the exemption starts with the 2027 tax year; if rejected or the election isn't held, the whole Act is automatically repealed.

• Creates a $15,000 homestead exemption against City of Suwanee ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes, meaning less of a home's value is taxed.
• Requires homeowners to apply once with the city to claim the exemption, after which it renews automatically each year without new applications.
• Requires homeowners to notify the city if they become ineligible for the exemption, such as by moving out.
• Limits the exemption strictly to city municipal taxes, excluding state, county, and school district property taxes.
• Requires a November 2026 referendum in Suwanee, with the exemption starting January 1, 2027 only if voters approve it.
• Automatically repeals the entire Act if voters reject it or if the required election is not properly held.

Homeowners in the City of Suwanee who claim the property as their primary residence (homestead), the City of Suwanee's governing authority and election superintendent, who must administer the exemption and run the referendum, and Gwinnett County's official legal organ, which must publish election notices.

If voters approve it, qualifying Suwanee homeowners would pay municipal property taxes on $15,000 less of their home's assessed value starting in 2027, lowering their city tax bills. The exemption would not affect county, school, or state taxes, so overall savings would be limited to the municipal portion of the bill.

• Section 1(a) defines 'ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes' and ties 'homestead' to the existing definition in O.C.G.A. § 48-5-40.
• Section 1(b) sets the exemption amount at $15,000 of assessed value, with any remaining value still taxable.
• Section 1(c) and (d) require a one-time application to the city, after which the exemption renews automatically each year under O.C.G.A. § 48-5-50.1.
• Section 1(e) clarifies the exemption applies only to city municipal taxes, not state, county, or school taxes, and stacks on top of any other existing homestead exemptions.
• Section 1(f) sets the exemption to apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
• Section 2 requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate for the Act to become law, per the Georgia Constitution.
• Section 3 requires a City of Suwanee referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026, and automatically repeals the Act if voters reject it or the election isn't properly conducted.
• Section 4 makes the Act (aside from the election provisions) effective upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without approval.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-05-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 536
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-02-24Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-02-24Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2026-02-09Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2026-02-06House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)Primary sponsor
• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)
• Soo Hong (R, HD-103)
• David Clark (R, HD-100)
• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 6, 2026

   163 yea, 0 nay (7 not voting, 5 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #480

2. PassedSenate voteFebruary 24, 2026

   53 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 1 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #571

• property taxes
• homestead exemption
• City of Suwanee
• Gwinnett County
• local referendum