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Read. Follow. Verify.Georgia House proposes Blue Ridge homestead property tax exemption funded by sales tax
Last action · June 22, 2026: House Lost Reconsidered Bill/ResolutionSponsor: Johnny Chastain
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What This Bill Would Do
House Bill 16EX proposes a homestead property tax exemption for residents of the City of Blue Ridge, funded by a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax () in Fannin County, subject to voter approval in a November 2026 referendum.
Qualifying property owners could see city property taxes offset by sales tax revenue, provided voters approve the measure in November 2026.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
City of Blue Ridge homeowners
Eligible residents receive a homestead exemption from city ad valorem taxes based on sales tax proceeds.
City of Blue Ridge governing authority
The city must bear the expense of the referendum election and adjust ad valorem tax collections according to the exemption.
Key Facts
- The bill grants a homestead exemption from City of Blue Ridge ad valorem taxes equal to the assessed value of homestead property determined annually by LHOST proceeds.
- The exemption requires approval by a majority of voters in a referendum held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November 2026.
- If approved, the exemption takes effect on January 1, 2027, and remains in effect through December 31, 2039.
- Homeowners who received a homestead exemption in the preceding tax year do not need to file a new application to receive this exemption.
Show all 5 facts
- Enactment requires a two-thirds' majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives under the Constitution of the State of Georgia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to file a new application if I already receive a homestead exemption?
When will the referendum take place?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
9 actions- Jun 22, 2026HouseHouse Reconsidered
- Jun 22, 2026HouseHouse Lost Reconsidered Bill/Resolution
- Jun 20, 2026HouseCommitteeHouse Committee Favorably Reported
- Jun 20, 2026HouseHouse Third Readers
- Jun 20, 2026HouseHouse Third Reading Lost
- Jun 20, 2026HouseHouse Notice to Reconsider
Show 3 earlier actions
- Jun 18, 2026HouseHouse Second Readers
- Jun 17, 2026HouseIntroducedHouse Hopper
- Jun 17, 2026HouseIntroducedHouse First Readers
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legis.ga.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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