SR 56 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation; increase -CA

Summary

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to increase the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2025 Last action Mar 31, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Adopted Senate → LC 33 9919S/hss · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was completely rewritten by the House Ways & Means Committee to shift from a narrow focus on increasing farmland acreage limits to a broader package of property tax relief. The new version removes the specific 4,000-acre cap for conservation land, adds a $18,000 limit on homestead incentive adjustments, and authorizes local school systems to impose a temporary 1% sales tax to offset property tax reductions.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded significantly from a single issue regarding farmland acreage limits to a multi-faceted property tax relief package including homestead adjustments and new local sales tax authority.

ELIGIBILITY

Deleted the specific provision increasing the maximum acreage for bona fide conservation use properties from 2,000 to 4,000 acres.

FISCAL

Added a new constitutional provision allowing a homeowner's incentive adjustment up to $18,000, funded by state grants to local governments and school districts.

SCOPE

Added authority for local school systems to impose a 1% sales tax for up to five years to offset reductions in property tax relief.

DEFINITION

Changed the constitutional article and section references to accommodate the new, broader scope of the amendment.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated the ballot language to reflect the new provisions regarding grants, removal of caps, and the new sales tax authority.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 19, 2025

How they voted

50–2

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 55

Feb 19, 2025

D Democratic22

18 Yea 1 Nay 3

81% Yea

R Republican33

32 Yea 1 Nay

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Engrossed

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Introduced

Senate Hopper

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors