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GA HB766

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/14/2016

Primary Sponsor

Beth Beskin

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2015-2016 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Updates Georgia's homestead exemption law to use gender-neutral language, replacing "husband or wife" with "married person" and "the wife" with "his or her spouse," ensuring the exemption applies regardless of which spouse holds the title to the homestead.
  • Clarifies the definition of "disabled veteran" by changing "and" to "or," so that veterans rated 100% totally disabled, those compensated at the 100% level due to individual unemployability, or those entitled to a statutory award for specific service-connected disabilities (loss of hands, feet, or sight) all independently qualify for the homestead exemption.
  • Requires the homestead definition change (Section 1) to be submitted to voters in a statewide referendum during the November 2016 general election, with the provision taking effect January 1, 2017, only if approved by more than half of voters.
  • Automatically repeals the homestead definition change on January 1 following the election if the referendum fails or is not conducted as required.
  • The disabled veteran definition clarification (Section 2) takes effect immediately upon the Governor's approval, without requiring a referendum.

Legislative Description

Property tax exemptions; definition to include any spouse; revise

Last Action

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

2/17/2016

Full Bill Text

No bill text available