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HB 374

CRIMINAL LAW-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

House Bill 374 requires owners of five or more rental units in Georgia to register in local databases, enhancing oversight and transparency, especially regarding foreign ownership.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 374

Summary of House Bill 374

Bill Number: HB 374
Title: Local government; residential rental property; establish housing management databases
Status: House Withdrawn, Recommitted
Introduced: February 10, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 374 aims to empower local governing bodies in Georgia to create housing management databases for residential rental properties. The intent is to enhance oversight and management of rental properties, ensuring compliance with local codes and ordinances, and to improve transparency regarding property ownership, particularly concerning foreign adversaries.

Key Provisions

  1. Establishment of Housing Management Databases:

    • Local governing bodies may create databases to manage information on residential rental properties.
    • Registration in these databases is mandatory for owners of at least five dwelling units within the jurisdiction.

  2. Registration Requirements:

    • Owners must submit specific information, including:
      • Owner's and property manager's contact details.
      • Property address and tax parcel number.
      • Recording information of property ownership.
    • Updates to this information must be made within 30 days of any changes.

  3. Penalties for Non-Compliance:

    • Local governing bodies may impose penalties for failure to register or update information:
      • First violation: Up to $500.
      • Second violation: Up to $750.
      • Third and subsequent violations: Up to $1,000.

  4. Disclosure of Foreign Ownership:

    • Property owners must disclose if their property is partially or wholly owned by foreign adversaries, as defined by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
    • This disclosure must be made at the time of registration and updated as necessary.

  5. Exemptions:

    • Certain properties, such as those licensed by the Department of Community Health or multifamily properties with more than 20 units, are exempt from these requirements.

Impact

  • Affected Parties:

    • Residential property owners and managers within local jurisdictions will be directly impacted by the registration and compliance requirements.
    • Local governments will gain enhanced tools for managing rental properties and ensuring compliance with health and safety codes.

  • Transparency and Safety:

    • The bill aims to improve transparency in property ownership, particularly regarding foreign investments, which may address public concerns about national security and local housing markets.

Procedural Aspects

  • Legislative Timeline:
    • Introduced on February 10, 2025.
    • Favorably reported by the House Committee on February 27, 2025.
    • Passed through the first and second readings in the House.
    • Withdrawn and recommitted on April 4, 2025, indicating further review or amendments may be forthcoming.

This summary provides an overview of House Bill 374, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential impact on local governance and residential rental property management in Georgia.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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