Georgia HB1440: Petrea-Stephens-Franklin-Watson Tax Relief Act; enact

What the bill says

To provide a homestead exemption from Bryan County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of such homestead; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide a short title; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements…

From the introduced text:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To provide a homestead exemption from Bryan County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of such homestead; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide a short title; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; 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 "Petrea-Stephens-Franklin-Watson Tax Relief Act." H. B. 1440 LC 47 4072/AP SECTION 2. (a) As used in this Act, the term: (1) "Ad valorem taxes for educational purposes" means all ad valorem taxes for educational purposes levied by, for, or on behalf of the Bryan County school district, except for any ad valorem taxes to pay interest on and to retire county school district bonded indebtedness. (2) "Base year" means the taxable year immediately preceding the taxable year in which the exemption under subsection (b) …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Jesse Petrea (R, 166) · primary sponsor
• Ron Stephens (R, 164)
• Lehman Franklin (R, 160)

Latest actions

1. May 11, 2026: Act 564
2. May 11, 2026: Effective Date
3. May 11, 2026: House Date Signed by Governor
4. April 6, 2026: House Sent to Governor
5. March 18, 2026: Senate Passed/Adopted
6. March 18, 2026: Senate Committee Favorably Reported
7. March 12, 2026: Senate Read and Referred
8. March 10, 2026: House Passed/Adopted
9. March 10, 2026: House Third Readers
10. March 10, 2026: House Committee Favorably Reported

Votes

• LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR: Senate Vote #728 (March 18, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Local Calendar : House Vote #693 (March 10, 2026): 159 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1440?

HB1440 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Petrea-Stephens-Franklin-Watson Tax Relief Act; enact.

What does HB1440 do?

In its own words: To provide a homestead exemption from Bryan County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in an amount equal to the amount by which the current year assessed value of a homestead exceeds the base year assessed value of such homestead; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide a short title; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements…

What is the status of HB1440?

Signed into law as of May 11, 2026. Latest action: Act 564 (May 11, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1440?

Jesse Petrea (R, 166), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1440?

On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73560