This legislation expands the statewide homestead exemption for 100% disabled veterans by including veterans that may be less than 100% disabled but are compensated by the Veterans Administration at the 100% level due to the individual's unemployability because of their disability.  This change will also apply to the exemption from vehicle ad valorem tax for a disabled veterans and the vehicle exemption is expanded to include an unmarried surviving spouse or minor child in the event of the death of the disabled veteran.  According to the tax commissioner's association, this bill should have little to no fiscal impact on the county governments.

This legislation makes several changes regarding the redemption of property on or after July 1, 2016, which has been sold under a tax execution. In the event that a tax sale purchaser has paid any sums to property owners', condominium, or owners' associations, then any person who subsequently redeems the property must repay such amounts to the tax sale purchaser in addition to the current statutory redemption amounts. This change would help the tax commissioner sell these properties at a tax sale.

This legislation allows funds in the Local Government Investment Pool to be invested in a separate trust fund to be administered by the state treasurer.  This change is needed for auditing purposes and should not have any impact on county funds invested in the LGIP.

 This bill makes numerous changes to the TAVT statute. These include: major revisions to determining the fair market value of vehicles; a new valuation methodology for kit cars; authorization for a tag agent to deviate from fair market value methodology based upon mileage and vehicle condition; redefining trade in value as fair market value rather than as stated in the bill of sale; requiring the state revenue commissioner to develop a standard form for use by dealers; providing for civil fines and dealer license revocation for failure to apply for title and remit TAVT proceeds; allowing tag agents to retain one percent of the local proceeds to defray administration cost which proceeds go to the county general fund; increasing the criminal penalty for failure to obtain a title and register a vehicle to a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature; providing for conditional titles for 1962 or earlier model years and allowing opt in under the TAVT system;  providing for transfers as a result of divorce decrees or court orders; providing for refund requests and prompt payment of the proceeds thereof by dealers to vehicle purchasers; providing an express expiration period of 45 days for temporary license plates; allowing the state revenue commissioner and the county tag agent to provide for 30 day extension of initial registration periods; allowing the county tag agent to require further information to make determinations regarding certificates of title and liens; providing for electronic submission of title applications; and many other changes.

The bill appears to be almost identical to HB 158.

This legislation makes numerous changes to the TAVT statute. These include: major revisions to determining the fair market value of vehicles; redefining trade in value as fair market value rather than as stated in the bill of sale; requiring the state revenue commissioner to develop a standard form for use by dealers; providing for civil fines and dealer license revocation for failure to apply for title and remit TAVT proceeds and allowing tag agents to retain one percent of the local proceeds to defray administration cost which proceeds go to the county general fund.

This legislation is a comprehensive revision of processes and procedures regarding ad valorem taxation, assessment, and appeal. Major highlights include a revamping of appraisal staff procedures to allow for joint staffs and contracting for advice and assistance and a total overhaul of the appeal process and county boards of equalization.  This legislation will have an administrative impact on the county tax assessor's office, office of the superior court clerk, tax commissioner's office and boards of equalization.

For a summary of HB 202 as passed please click here. 

This legislation repeals the requirement that MARTA's ratio of operations to capital expenditures does not exceed 50/50. It also provides for a representative from Clayton county to sit on the MARTA board and makes the GRTA Executive Director a voting member. This legislation also provides for a process of appeal for citations issued in violation of authority rules and regulations.

County Impact:  For the three participating MARTA counties, this legislation provides for board representation from Clayton county as well as the northern part of DeKalb county. The removal of the 50/50 requirement on revenue spending for MARTA will provide the agency with more flexibility in its use of the revenue which will benefit the residents of the three participating counties. 

This legislation was amended to clarify that federal loans for multi family housing purposes are to be treated like Section 42 properties for valuation purposes which includes Rural 515 properties. This provision clarifies the intent of HB 954 from last session. Please review this bill with your chief appraiser.