RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cory Chun and 10 co-sponsors

House Bill 807 offers full city tax exemptions to seniors 62+ and their surviving spouses in Woodstock, easing financial burdens and simplifying eligibility requirements.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

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Purpose and Intent

House Bill 807 (HB 807) aims to amend existing legislation concerning homestead exemptions for senior citizens in the City of Woodstock, Georgia. The bill seeks to extend the homestead exemption from all city ad valorem taxes for residents aged 62 and older, specifically allowing surviving spouses of eligible residents to qualify for the exemption without the previously required five-year residency.

Key Provisions

Homestead Exemption Extension:

The bill allows senior citizens (62 years and older) to receive a full exemption from city ad valorem taxes on their homestead.
Surviving spouses of individuals who previously qualified for the exemption will also be eligible without needing to meet the five-year residency requirement.

Grandfathering Clause:

Residents who were granted a homestead exemption prior to the amendment will continue to receive the exemption without regard to the five-year requirement, as long as they remain senior citizens.

Compliance and Referendum:

The bill includes provisions to ensure compliance with constitutional requirements and mandates a referendum for local voters to approve or reject the changes.
The municipal election superintendent will conduct the election, which must occur by the November 2026 general election.

Automatic Repeal:

If the referendum does not pass, the bill will be automatically repealed on July 1, 2027.

Affected Parties

Senior Citizens: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are senior citizens residing in the City of Woodstock who will gain financial relief from city taxes.

Surviving Spouses: Surviving spouses of deceased residents who previously qualified for the exemption will also benefit from the changes.

City of Woodstock: The city will be responsible for conducting the election and will incur costs associated with the referendum.

Procedural Aspects

Legislative Timeline:

Introduced on March 20, 2025, the bill has undergone multiple readings and committee reviews.
The committee on WAM deferred the measure on April 1, 2025, indicating further discussion is needed.
A public decision-making session was scheduled for April 1, 2025.

Voting Requirements:

The bill requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives to become law.

Effective Date:

If approved by voters, the provisions of the bill will take effect on January 1 following the election.

Conclusion

House Bill 807 represents a significant legislative effort to provide tax relief to senior citizens and their surviving spouses in Woodstock, Georgia. By simplifying eligibility requirements for homestead exemptions, the bill aims to enhance financial security for these residents while ensuring compliance with legal standards through a public referendum.

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