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HB 79

Tift County; ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption

2026 Special Session Introduced by Jaclyn Ford and 1 co-sponsor

HB 79 would create a homestead exemption in Tift County to reduce property taxes for qualifying homeowners on their primary residence.

House Lost Reconsidered Bill/Resolution
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 79

Bill Overview

HB 79 (Georgia, 2026 Session) seeks to provide a homestead ad valorem tax exemption for Tift County. The bill, as reflected by its placement in the House and its listed sponsors, aims to expand or modify local property tax relief for homeowners within Tift County.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish or expand a homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes for qualifying residents in Tift County.
  • Provide targeted property tax relief to homeowners, reducing their taxable value or tax liability on primary residences.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Create or modify a homestead exemption program applicable to residential properties classified as homesteads within Tift County.
  • Likely standards for qualification (typical elements in such bills) may include:
    • Primary residence requirement (the homestead must be the owner's principal dwelling).
    • Residency or ownership criteria (e.g., must own and occupy the property as of a specific date).
    • Exemption amount (percentage of assessed value or a fixed dollar amount) to reduce the assessed value used for tax calculation.
  • Administrative details (typical in such bills) might address:
    • Application and verification processes for homeowners seeking the exemption.
    • Implementation timeline and interaction with local tax assessors.
    • Effective date (when the exemption first applies to the tax roll for the year following enactment).
  • Local implementation considerations, including how the exemption interacts with other exemptions, rebates, or millage rates already in place in Tift County.

Affected Parties

  • Primary impact: homeowners in Tift County who qualify for the homestead exemption.
  • Local government and tax assessors in Tift County (administrative administration of the exemption).
  • Other property owners in the county may be indirectly affected through potential changes in tax levies or distribution of tax revenue, depending on exemption size and county budgeting.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Recent action history shows progression through the Georgia House:
    • House Hopper (early committee stage) on 2026-06-18
    • House First Readers on 2026-06-20
    • House Second Readers on 2026-06-22
  • Likely next steps include committee consideration, potential amendments, and full chamber votes before moving to the Senate.
  • If enacted, the exemption would typically become effective for the tax year following approval, with applicable deadlines for qualification and application dictated by the county’s local tax office.

Practical Implications

  • For eligible homeowners, the exemption reduces taxable value, lowering annual property tax bills.
  • The bill provides targeted relief to residents in Tift County and may influence county revenue allocations and budgeting priorities.
  • Applicants would need to meet standard homestead criteria and comply with local application processes.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize particular stakeholders (e.g., elderly homeowners, new homeowners) or compare to existing homestead exemptions in Georgia.

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

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