GA SB235

Grants Whitfield County school district residents a homestead exemption equal to the difference between the current year assessed value and an adjusted base year assessed value, effectively freezing school tax assessments at a baseline level with limited annual increases tied to inflation

Caps annual increases in the adjusted base year value to the inflation rate as determined by the Whitfield County tax commissioner using the Consumer Price Index or similar federal index

Applies to homesteads of up to five contiguous acres beginning January 1, 2026, with the base year value set at the 2024 assessed value for those receiving the exemption in 2026

Exemption does not transfer to subsequent property owners and does not apply to ad valorem taxes levied for bonded indebtedness, state taxes, county taxes, or municipal taxes

Requires approval by two-thirds majority in both legislative chambers and a local referendum on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November 2025