Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte Applauds Committee Passage of Priority Legislation, Senate Bill 382

Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) applauded the Senate Committee on Finance’s passage of Senate Bill 382, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R–Rome). This measure, a Senate Majority Caucus priority for the 2026 Legislative Session, would mandate the statewide base-year homestead exemption for all local governments and streamline the process for calling a referendum on special district option sales and use tax.

“Owning a home and fulfilling the American Dream should be realistic goals for any person who is willing to work toward them,” said Majority Leader Anavitarte. “Unbearable and unrelenting property tax increases have crippled homeowners for far too long, and our local governments should be standing in solidarity with Georgians, not working against them.”

“The original House Bill 581 that passed two years ago allowed an opt-out for local governments, and the Senate’s original position was to not allow an opt-out,” said Sen. Hufstetler. “Since then, 20% of cities and 70% of school systems have opted out, and in some cases, they continue to give double-digit tax increases to their homeowners. Senate Bill 382 will return us to the original position of everyone opting in. This is consistent with what has been done in Florida, Washington State and other jurisdictions that did not allow an opt-out. This legislation will provide that all homeowners in Georgia will be protected from massive property tax increases.”

SB 382 has advanced to the Senate Committee on Rules, where it awaits selection for consideration on the Senate floor. You can find more information about this legislation here.

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Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 31^stSenate District, which includes Polk County and a portion of Paulding County.