Committee advances ballot measure to give disabled veterans 100% homestead exemption

A Georgia legislative subcommittee voted to advance House Resolution 400, a proposal to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to grant a 100% homestead exemption for disabled veterans.

The presenter (speaker S6) described the measure as a constitutional amendment that would put the question to voters and said it was originally proposed by Lynn Heffner, who resigned; S6 is carrying the measure on her behalf. "This measure would ... propose as a constitutional amendment to put a question on the ballot to provide a 100%, homestead exemption for disabled veterans," the presenter said.

Committee members asked about cost and scope. The presenter said there are "currently, up to about 121,000, exemption available to 100% disabled veterans in Georgia," but added that the 100% disabled population is roughly 37,000 and that it is unclear how many would actually qualify for a homestead exemption because eligibility depends on homeownership and living circumstances.

Representative Prince (speaker S9) expressed concern that placing a full exemption on the ballot now could disrupt a House proposal that phases in homestead increases over time, warning it might harm small counties. The presenter said the resolution would accelerate the timeline if voters approve it, and therefore could become redundant if the House's phased approach succeeds.

After discussion, the committee moved and seconded passage of the resolution and advanced it by voice vote. The transcript records aye voices but not a roll-call tally.

The committee did not provide an exact statewide cost estimate for enactment; the presenter said calculating the fiscal impact is challenging because many potentially eligible veterans may not own property or may be in living situations where a homestead exemption would not apply. The next procedural step is further legislative consideration if the resolution proceeds out of committee.