Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB498: Garden City Charm and Tourism Act; enact
Status: Signed into law, May 13, 2025
A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the governing authority of Augusta-Richmond County to levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To authorize the governing authority of Augusta-Richmond County to levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To authorize the governing authority of Augusta-Richmond County to levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Garden City Charm and Tourism Act." SECTION 2. Pursuant to the authority of subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A., the governing authority of Augusta-Richmond County is authorized to levy an excise tax at a rate not to exceed 8 percent of the charge for the furnishing for value to the public of any room or rooms, lodgings, or accommodations furnished by any person or legal entity licensed by, or required to pay business or occupation taxes to, the county for operating a hotel, motel, inn, lodge, tourist camp, tourist cabin, campground, or any other place in which rooms, lodgings, or accommodations are regularly or periodically furnished for value. H. B. LC 47 3390 SECTION 3. The enactment of this Act is subsequent to the adoption of a resolution by the governing authority of Augusta-Richmond County on January 13, 2022, which specifies …
Sponsors
- Lynn Heffner (D, 130) · primary sponsor
- Howard, Karlton (D, 129)
- L.C. Myles (D, 126)
- Mark Newton (R, 127)
- Brian Prince (D, 132)
Latest actions
- : Act 144
- : Effective Date
- : House Date Signed by Governor
- : House Sent to Governor
- : Senate Passed/Adopted
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported
- : Senate Read and Referred
- : House Passed/Adopted
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported
Votes
- LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR: Senate Vote #106 (February 28, 2025): 51 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Local Calendar : House Vote #58 (February 21, 2025): 170 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB498?
- HB498 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Garden City Charm and Tourism Act; enact.
- What does HB498 do?
- In its own words: To authorize the governing authority of Augusta-Richmond County to levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-51 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB498?
- Signed into law as of May 13, 2025. Latest action: Act 144 (May 13, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB498?
- Lynn Heffner (D, 130), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB498?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70422
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.