GA HB896

Restructures the Macon-Bibb County Community Enhancement Authority board to consist of a chairperson selected by majority vote of the Bibb County Delegation to the General Assembly, two members appointed by the chairperson, and one member appointed by the Macon-Bibb County governing authority, all serving four-year terms with an eight-year initial term for the first chairperson.

Expands the definition of "Category IV poverty area" to include any less developed census tract area contiguous to a census block with a poverty level of 40 percent or higher.

Adds new definitions for "benchmark county" (the county ranking 71st from the bottom on unemployment, per capita income, and poverty), "less developed census tract area" (ten or more contiguous census tracts performing equal to or worse than the benchmark county), and "targeted employment area" (recognized under the 1990 Immigration Act Investor VISA Provisions by the Georgia Department of Labor).

Extends the authority's powers to administer community development projects in targeted employment areas in addition to Category IV poverty areas, including projects to eliminate blight, encourage commercial growth, and create affordable housing, parks, and recreation facilities.

Requires the authority to phase out involvement and transfer projects to local authorities within one year when an area is no longer classified as a Category IV poverty area or targeted employment area.