Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB169: Ad valorem tax; breach of a covenant for bona fide conservation use related to solar generation of energy; limit exceptions
Status: Passed one chamber, March 25, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions for ad valorem taxation of property, so as to limit exceptions to the breach of covenants for bona fide conservation use and forest land conservation use related to the solar generation of energy to existing contracts and to provide for applicability; to provide for sunsets; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions for ad valorem taxation of property, so as to limit exceptions to the breach of covenants for bona fide conservation use and forest land conservation use related to the solar generation of energy to existing contracts and to provide for applicability; to provide for sunsets; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions for ad valorem taxation of property, so as to limit exceptions to the breach of covenants for bona fide conservation use and forest land conservation use related to the solar generation of energy to existing contracts and to provide for applicability; to provide for sunsets; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions for ad valorem taxation of property, is amended by revising paragraph (11) of subsection (p) of Code Section 48-5-7.4, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, as follows: "(11)(A) Allowing part of the property subject to the covenant to be used for solar generation of energy and conversion of such energy into heat or electricity, and the sale of the same in accordance with applicable law, provided, beginning on July 1, 2025, H. B. LC 44 2945 this paragraph shall only apply in the case of obligations of contracts entered into prior to July 1, 2025, and …
Sponsors
- Chuck Hufstetler (R, 52) · primary sponsor
- Cannon, Chas (R, 172) · primary sponsor
- Robert Dickey (R, 134)
- John Corbett (R, 174)
- Angela O'Steen (R, 169)
- David Huddleston (R, 72)
- Jaclyn Ford (R, 170)
Latest actions
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : Senate Read and Referred
- : House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : House Second Readers
- : House First Readers
- : House Hopper
Votes
- House Vote #106 (February 27, 2025): 160 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB169?
- HB169 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Ad valorem tax; breach of a covenant for bona fide conservation use related to solar generation of energy; limit exceptions.
- What does HB169 do?
- In its own words: To amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions for ad valorem taxation of property, so as to limit exceptions to the breach of covenants for bona fide conservation use and forest land conservation use related to the solar generation of energy to existing contracts and to provide for applicability; to provide for sunsets; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB169?
- Passed one chamber as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: Senate Read Second Time (March 25, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB169?
- Chuck Hufstetler (R, 52), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB169?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69646
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.