ATLANTA (WSAV) — The Georgia House of Representatives passed two tax bills and a resolution, focusing on property tax relief, motor fuel tax relief and relief related to hurricane recovery efforts.
House Resolution 42 would ratify, or officially confirm, executive orders issues by Governor Brian Kemp that suspended of the collection of motor and diesel fuel taxes after Helene. The resolution is sponsored by State Representative Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville).
"Thank you to our partners in the House for ratifying Georgia’s gas tax suspension during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene," Kemp said. "The suspension provided immediate relief to Georgia families."
House Bill (HB) 92 would extend the deadline for local governments to opt in or out of the controversial HB 581. HB 581 is a homestead tax exemption that locks in assessed value for homeowners if their local government opts in.
The extension would run until the end of the month, Mar. 31, versus the current Mar. 1 deadline. The bill is sponsored by Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire).
"HB 92 would provide local governments that are considering opting out of this local tax relief with reasonable time to reconsider," a House spokesperson said.
HB 223 would exclude federal disaster relief payments, assistance grants and crop insurance related to Hurricane Helene from counting towards taxable net income. This would be in effect for tax years 2024-2029.
It could also create a tax credit for timber loss and a sales tax exemption for building materials used to repair or replace greenhouses and structures used for the production of animals like coops.
The resolution and both bills will have to go in front of the Georgia Senate and be passed to become law.