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Savannah–Chatham County holds Feb. 6 hearing on Georgia House Bill 581; vote set for Feb. 19
Summary
County finance staff compared the statewide floating homestead exemption established by Georgia House Bill 581 with the local Stevens Day homestead exemption, warned of administrative burdens if the county opts in, and said municipalities in Chatham County are expected to opt out. A county vote on a resolution is scheduled for Feb. 19.
Savannah–Chatham County held a public hearing Feb. 6 on Georgia House Bill 581 (HB 581), the state’s property tax reform law that creates a statewide floating homestead exemption; county staff reviewed how the law would compare with the county’s long‑standing Stevens Day Homestead Exemption and said the county commission will vote on a resolution regarding the matter on Feb. 19.
Lamedes Holmes, controller in the division of finance, told the hearing that HB 581 was enacted in response to concerns about rising property values and property taxes, and that the law was signed April 18, 2024 and presented to voters Nov. 5, 2024. Holmes said the bill establishes a statewide floating exemption, offers an optional local sales-tax offset available via local referendum, and does not eliminate existing homestead exemptions that jurisdictions already have. "House bill 5 81 does not override existing homestead exemptions…
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