Two bipartisan bills that call for a public referendum on homestead exemptions that Gwinnett County property owners receive for school taxes are heading to the Georgia Senate for consideration.
The Georgia House of Representatives passed the bills on Thursday. The bills now head to the Georgia Senate, which has only two legislative days left to pass it before the end of the 2023 session — but technically has until the end of next year’s session to pass it.
House Bill 711 calls for a referendum on doubling the homestead exemption for the schools portion of property tax bills, going from $4,000 to $8,000. Meanwhile, House Bill 748 calls for a referendum on creating an additional $2,000 exemption on school taxes for public servants.
“In the middle of a housing crisis, the Georgia House of Representatives is fighting hard for Gwinnett County’s homeowners and taxpayers,” said state Rep. Matt Reeves, R-Duluth, who is the lead sponsor on both bills.
“I am honored to work with my colleagues to fight to keep the American dream of home ownership alive and well in the middle of Georgia’s largest school district.”
If the Senate passes the bills, the referendum would appear on next year’s primary ballot in May 2024. Legislators said it would be the first time in 35 years that Gwinnett voters have gotten to vote on increasing property tax relief.
The last time such a referendum was held was in 1988, according to legislators.
The additional $2,000 homestead exemption for public servants would apply to public workers such as police, teachers, hospital workers and active duty military personnel.
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