GA HB783

Grants Columbia County school district residents an $8,000 homestead exemption from the assessed value of their property for school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes, including taxes for school bond debt

Limits the exemption to homesteads of no more than five contiguous acres, with property value above the exempted amount remaining taxable

Requires residents to file an initial application with the Columbia County tax commissioner, after which the exemption automatically renews annually as long as the property remains their homestead

Exemption is in addition to other existing homestead exemptions but will be reduced by any amount already exempt under state Code Section 48-5-44

Requires voter approval through a referendum on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November 2025, with the exemption taking effect January 1, 2026 if approved by majority vote