Legislation to Provide Senior Homestead Tax Exemption in Bartow Receives Final Passage in Georgia Senate

State Representatives Mitchell Scoggins (R-Cartersville) and Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville) today announced that House Bill 604 received final passage in the Georgia Senate on Tuesday, February 15.

HB 604 was sponsored by Rep. Scoggins and co-sponsored by Reps. Gambill and Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown) and would provide a homestead exemption for senior residents who reside within the Bartow County School District.

“The Bartow County Legislative Delegation has worked tirelessly on this legislation for the past four years, and I am excited to announce that this homestead exemption bill has finally crossed the finish line,” said Rep. Scoggins. “This bill is a major win for our senior residents in Bartow County, most of whom are on fixed incomes and could really benefit from these tax savings. I’m thankful to my Senate colleagues for passing this bill and hope that Bartow County voters will approve this upcoming ballot referendum to help our seniors.”

HB 604 would allow local residents to enact this legislation through a local ballot referendum later this year. If the local referendum is approved by area residents, House Bill 604 would provide a homestead exemption from the assessed value of a home for senior residents living in the Bartow County School District. School district residents who are 65 years or older would be eligible for a $60,000 exemption; residents who are 75 years or older would be eligible for an $80,000 exemption; and residents who are 80 years old or older would receive a full exemption. HB 604 will now be sent to the governor to be signed into law.

First Reader Summary HB 604: A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from Bartow County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of $60,000.00 of the appraised value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 65 years of age or older, in the amount of $80,000.00 of the appraised value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 75 years of age or older, and in the amount of the full appraised value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 80 years of age or older; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

For more information on HB 604, click HERE.

Representative Mitchell Scoggins represents the citizens of District 14, which includes portions of Bartow and Floyd counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves as Secretary of the Judiciary Committee. He also serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Code Revision, Special Rules and Transportation committees.

Representative Matthew Gambill represents the citizens of District 15, which includes portions of Bartow County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Economic Development & Tourism Committee. He also serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Human Relations & Aging, Natural Resources & Environment and Insurance committees.