HB1533: HB1533 Dalton Independent School System; remove the increased millage rate limitation

In 2011 the Georgia General Assembly set a specific increased millage (property tax) rate limit for the Dalton Independent School System. This bill would remove that increased limitation and instead subject the school system to the general millage cap set out in the Georgia Constitution (Article VIII, Section VI, Paragraph I(a)), which is lower than the current local limit. The change would not take effect on its own. The bill requires the City of Dalton's municipal election superintendent to hold a referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026, asking voters whether to approve lowering the school system's millage rate cap. If a majority vote yes, the change takes effect January 1, 2027. If voters reject it or no election is held as required, the change never takes effect and the whole Act automatically repeals 365 days after the election date. The bill also spells out that election officials must run the vote and allows a court order (writ of mandamus) to force compliance if they don't.

• Removes the specific increased millage rate limitation set in 2011 for the Dalton Independent School System.
• Subjects the school system's property tax rate instead to the general cap in the Georgia Constitution (Article VIII, Section VI, Paragraph I(a)).
• Requires a November 2026 referendum in the City of Dalton asking voters to approve or reject the change.
• Sets the change to take effect January 1, 2027 only if voters approve it in that election.
• Automatically repeals the entire Act 365 days after the election if voters reject it or the election is not properly held.
• Allows any Dalton elector to seek a court order forcing the election superintendent to conduct the required election if they fail to do so.

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1. 2026-03-23Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-03-20House Passed/Adopted (House)
3. 2026-03-20House Third Readers (House)
4. 2026-03-20House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
5. 2026-03-12House Second Readers (House)
6. 2026-03-10House First Readers (House)
7. 2026-03-09House Hopper (House)

• Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-004)Primary sponsor
• Steve Tarvin (R, HD-002)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 20, 2026

   153 yea, 0 nay (14 not voting, 9 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #734

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