HB1535: HB1535 Sandy Springs, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum

Georgia law allows cities to use special redevelopment tools, such as creating tax allocation districts and issuing tax allocation bonds, under the state's Redevelopment Powers Law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 44 of Title 36) and a related provision of the Georgia Constitution. Sandy Springs does not currently have authorization to use these tools, and this bill would grant it. The authorization would not take effect automatically. The bill requires the Sandy Springs election superintendent to hold a referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026, asking voters to approve or reject the city's use of these redevelopment powers. If more than half of voters say yes, the authorization becomes effective immediately. If voters reject it, or if the election is not properly held, the authorization never takes effect and the whole Act automatically repeals on the following January 1. The bill itself takes effect upon the Governor's signature or becoming law without it, though the actual grant of powers depends on the referendum outcome.

• Authorizes the City of Sandy Springs to use all powers under Georgia's Redevelopment Powers Law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 44 of Title 36), including creating tax allocation districts and issuing tax allocation bonds.
• Requires a citywide referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026 before the city can actually use these powers.
• Sets the ballot question voters will see, asking whether to approve the city's use of redevelopment powers.
• Makes the redevelopment authorization take effect immediately only if more than half of voters approve it in the referendum.
• Automatically repeals the entire Act on the following January 1 if voters reject it or if the referendum is not properly conducted.
• Requires the election superintendent to publish notice of the election in Fulton County's official legal organ and certify results to the Secretary of State.

The City of Sandy Springs government, its election superintendent, and registered voters within the city, who will decide the referendum. Property owners and developers in areas that could become tax allocation districts, and Fulton County, where the required election notices must be published, are also touched by the bill.

If voters approve the referendum, Sandy Springs could set up tax allocation districts and issue bonds to fund redevelopment projects, a financing tool many Georgia cities use for revitalizing blighted or underdeveloped areas. If voters reject it, the city keeps no new powers and the law disappears entirely.

• Section 1 authorizes Sandy Springs to exercise all powers under the Redevelopment Powers Law, including creating tax allocation districts and issuing tax allocation bonds.
• Section 2 requires a referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026, specifies the exact ballot language, and requires notice publication in Fulton County's official legal organ.
• Section 2 states the redevelopment authorization takes effect immediately if a majority approve, but the entire Act automatically repeals the following January 1 if rejected or if the election is not properly held.
• Section 3 sets the Act's general effective date as upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without approval, except for the referendum-dependent provisions.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-05-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 582
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-25Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2026-03-19Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2026-03-18House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)Primary sponsor
• Esther Panitch (D, HD-051)
• Betsy Holland (D, HD-054)
• Shea Roberts (D, HD-052)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 18, 2026

   161 yea, 2 nay (7 not voting, 6 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #712

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 25, 2026

   50 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 2 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #799

• Sandy Springs
• redevelopment powers
• tax allocation districts
• local referendum
• Fulton County