The 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly adjourned Sine Die Thursday, April 2, 2026

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Senate Bill 33, legislation that can provide property tax relief was passed by both chambers on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Unfortunately, this is a weaker bill than HB 1116 that was passed earlier by the House and did not pass the Senate. Instead, the senate passed SB33 late on April 2nd and sent it to the House, leaving it as the only path for property tax relief. The House had worked very hard, many, many hours on the original HB 1116 and HR 1114 that would have gradually elimintaed property tax on homesteads. The resolution which would have called for a constitutional amendment and required approval by a two-thirds vote in both chambers failed to pass due to a failure of the democrat members to support it.

However, Senate Bill 33 does give local communities a choice: property taxes on homes can be lowered by shifting some of that cost to a local sales tax—but only if voters approve it. It also cleans up how exemptions are handled so homeowners are treated more fairly.

IMPORTANT: No new taxes would be inposed, raised lowered, or abolished per this legislation unless approved by voters in a referendum in the affected tax district.

The following is a more detailed explanation of the legislation:

 

• The bill allows cities and counties to set up a Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST). 

• Instead of relying only on property taxes, your local government can add a small local sales tax (up to 1%).

• The money from that sales tax is then used to reduce your property tax bill, especially for homeowners.

• Shift some of the tax burden off your home and onto spending.

• It has to be approved by voters in a referendum. 

• Only after voters say yes can the sales tax be put in place.

• The bill requires that:

• The sales tax money must be used to reduce property taxes.

• You’ll actually see the savings reflected on your tax bill.

• Local governments don’t just collect extra money without lowering taxes

• There are some technical changes in the bill dealing with:

• How school property tax values are calculated

• How exemptions (like homestead exemptions) are counted

• In plain terms:

• It adjusts the formula so schools and the state account for these tax breaks properly.

• The bill also:

• Makes the statewide base homestead exemption mandatory

• Sets clearer rules on how property values are calculated year to year

• Prevents taxpayers from being penalized if the government made a mistake applying an exemption 

• That last point is important:

• If the government makes mistakes on your exemption, you shouldn’t get hit with a surprise tax bill later.

• To avoid confusion and low turnout elections, the bill:

1. Limits when special elections on tax increases can be held

2. Aligns them with more regular election dates 

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“Our trade policy rests firmly on the foundation of free and open markets. I recognize… there is a temptation to protect ourselves from the rigors of competition through restrictive legislation. But the long-term answer to our trade problems is not protectionism. It is opening markets and expanding trade.”

— President Ronald Reagan, State of the Union Address, January 25, 1988

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“We should beware of the temptation to protect our industries with tariffs and trade barriers. The only sure way to achieve lasting prosperity is through increased productivity, open markets, and fair competition.”

— Ronald Reagan, Radio Address to the Nation on Trade, September 24, 1983