Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia SB59: Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; a limitation on leased property; remove
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to remove a limitation on leased property as to certain entities; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to remove a limitation on leased property as to certain entities; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to remove a limitation on leased property as to certain entities; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, is amended by revising subsection (b) as follows: "(b) Except in the case of the underlying portion of a tract of real property on which is actually located a constructed storm-water wetland, the following additional rules shall apply to the qualification of conservation use property for current use assessment: (1) When one-half or more of the area of a single tract of real property is used for a qualifying purpose, then such tract shall be considered as used for such qualifying purpose unless some other type of business is being operated on the unused portion; S. B. LC 44 2942 provided, however, that such unused portion must be minimally managed so that it does not contribute …
Sponsors
- Angela O'Steen (R, 169) · primary sponsor
- Watson, Sam (R, 11) · primary sponsor
- Billy Hickman (R, 4)
- Russ Goodman (R, 8)
- Lee Anderson (R, 24)
- Carden Summers (R, 13)
- Drew Echols (R, 49)
Latest actions
- : Veto V9
- : Senate Date Signed by Governor
- : Senate Sent to Governor
- : Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
- : House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : House Withdrawn, Recommitted
- : House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : House Second Readers
Votes
- Senate Vote #715 (March 12, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Vote #575 (February 26, 2026): 154 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Senate Vote #66 (February 19, 2025): 50 yea, 1 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB59?
- SB59 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; a limitation on leased property; remove.
- What does SB59 do?
- In its own words: To amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to remove a limitation on leased property as to certain entities; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of SB59?
- Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Veto V9 (May 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB59?
- Angela O'Steen (R, 169), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB59?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69640
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.