HB 1487: Cornelia, City of; remove millage rate cap

The City of Cornelia's charter, adopted in 2013, previously limited how high the city could set its property tax rate, known as the millage rate. This bill rewrites Section 5.11 of that charter to remove any specific limit on the millage rate. Under the revised language, the Cornelia city commission would set the property tax millage rate, a payment due date, and the payment period entirely by its own ordinance, with no cap written into the charter. The commission may also allow taxpayers to pay in installments or in one lump sum, and to pay early if they choose. The bill repeals any conflicting laws and applies specifically to the City of Cornelia's charter.

• Removes the cap on the city property tax millage rate that was previously written into the City of Cornelia's charter.
• Gives the Cornelia city commission authority to set the millage rate, due date, and payment period by ordinance without a charter-imposed ceiling.
• Lets the commission decide by ordinance whether property taxes are paid in installments or a single lump sum.
• Allows property owners to pay their city taxes early, before the due date, if they choose.
• Repeals any prior laws that conflict with this change.

This bill affects residents and property owners within the City of Cornelia, Georgia, whose property tax bills are set by the city commission, as well as the commission itself, which gains more discretion over setting the tax rate.

Without a charter cap, the Cornelia city commission could raise the property tax millage rate higher than previously allowed without needing another change to the city's charter, potentially affecting how much residents and businesses pay in city property taxes over time.

• Section 1 rewrites Section 5.11 of the City of Cornelia's charter, eliminating the previous millage rate cap and letting the city commission set the rate by ordinance.
• Section 1 also keeps the commission's authority to set a due date and payment period, and to allow installment or lump-sum payment.
• Section 2 repeals any existing laws that conflict with this change.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-05-11
2. 2026-05-11Act 566
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2026-03-25Senate Passed/Adopted (Senado)
6. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senado)
7. 2026-03-23Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
8. 2026-03-20House Passed/Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)

• Victor Anderson (R, HD-010)Patrocinador principal
• Chris Erwin (R, HD-032)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes20 de marzo de 2026

   153 a favor, 0 en contra (14 sin votar, 9 ausentes)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #734

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado25 de marzo de 2026

   50 a favor, 0 en contra (2 sin votar, 2 ausentes)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #799

• property taxes
• City of Cornelia
• local government charter
• millage rate