Georgia CommonsHouse Ways & Means Committee, March 30, 2026
2025-2026 Regular Session · 406 CLOB · 28 min
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Summary
Written by an AI model (gpt-6.1-sol) from the transcript. It is not part of the record, and the video is what was said.
The committee considered SR 56 as a framework for homeowner tax-relief grants and possible future school-system participation. The chair said the proposal responded to county feedback. A committee member asked whether participation would remain voluntary even if voters approved the ballot question, and the chair confirmed that local governments would not have to fund grants. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote, with no opposition heard, and adjourned.
Bills discussed (1)
Each account covers the stretch of the meeting it names. The bill's number is said in that stretch, unless it was the only bill on a committee's agenda.
SR 56. Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation; increase -CA
From 0:26:17 · turns 3 to 13
The chair presented the resolution as incorporating county feedback on a previously considered homestead relief grant measure and providing a framework for possible future school-system participation. The chair described both changes as largely uncontroversial. One committee member asked whether local governments and school systems could decline to participate even if voters approved the question in section three. The chair confirmed that participation was entirely voluntary and said local governments could choose whether to fund grants to homeowners, with no obligation to act if they declined. The member expressed support. Following a motion and second, the committee approved the resolution by voice vote, with no opposition heard.
Transcript
14 turns. Select a time to play that moment of the video.
- 0:24:37
Sorry, I apologize for being late here. Had a little, little emergency pop up. Um, gonna call the Ways and Means Committee meeting to order. Mr. Vice Chairman, would you open us up in a word of prayer, sir?
- 0:24:51
Dear God, we just thank you for today, dear Lord. We just thank you for the opportunity that we have here to gather to do the work of 11 men here in Georgia. Father, thank you for, uh, placing your trust in us for what we're, what we're here to do. Father, watch over our families who aren't here with us, God. In these next few days, ask us, um, just grant us patience and wisdom and guidance, uh, to act in the way that you would, uh, want us to, to act, God. Just watch over our guests. In your name we pray. Amen.
- 0:25:21
Well, in our, uh, never-ending, um, desires to, uh, take feedback and incorporate them into, to legislation, we had heard from the counties on, uh, two ... One piece on this, uh, homestead relief grant measure that we've already seen in, uh, 1CA earlier. Uh, and then in section two, we've been asked to consider including the schools at some point in the future. This provides framework for both of those, um, in a resolution that, uh, Senator Watson has agreed to allow, uh, in this bill.
- 0:26:00
I, you know, believe these are two measures that were largely, uh, without controversy, so, um, we agreed to, to give that a shot. And, uh, be happy to, to try to answer any questions to SR 56 as, as presented here or, um, um, take any if anybody has any, any comments.
- 0:26:27
Representative Buckner?
- 0:26:29
Yeah, just to, real quick, just, just to be clear, this is the one that is completely voluntary. There's no mandate on a local government or a school system to adopt any of this if they don't want to. Even if the, even if their voters voted yes on that question in section three, it's still completely at the option of the school, of the, of the county government.
- 0:26:48
100% voluntary.
- 0:26:49
Okay.
- 0:26:49
They can, they can, uh, fund, uh, the grant back to homeowners if they choose, and they do not, they are not responsible for doing anything, uh, if they choose not to.
- 0:27:01
Thank you. It looks like something everybody would support. Thank you.
- 0:27:06
It did pass out, uh, I believe unanimously as from Representative Richardson. I don't see any further questions here. Um, any comments? I know we have anybody that wanted to ...
- 0:27:22
No? All right. Um, what's the will of the committee? Moved and a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by stating aye.
- 0:27:34
Aye.
- 0:27:34
Those opposed. All right. Thank you very much. Um, does anybody have anything further for the good of the order? Hearing none, we stand adjourned.