Georgia House bill by author Rep. Reeves granting $15,000 Suwanee homestead tax exemption passes House and Senate

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Matt Reeves aims to provide Suwanee homeowners a $15,000 homestead exemption from city ad valorem taxes after winning approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Tuesday, Feb. 24, clearing the House by a vote of 165-0 and the Senate by a vote of 53-0.

The bill, introduced as HB1074 on Wednesday, Jan. 28 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Suwanee, City of; ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill creates a $15,000 homestead exemption from City of Suwanee ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes, including taxes to pay interest on and retire city bond debt, for residents on their primary homes. Homeowners must file an initial application with the city, after which the exemption renews automatically as long as the property remains their homestead, and they must report any change in eligibility. The exemption is in addition to any other city homestead exemptions and does not affect state, county or school taxes. It applies to tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2027, and takes effect only if approved by city voters in a November 2026 referendum.

In the House, 73 Democrats and 92 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 23 Democrats and 30 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. David Clark (Republican-100th), Rep. Chuck Efstration (Republican-104th), and Rep. Scott Hilton (Republican-48th), along with two other co-sponsors.

Reeves graduated from Mercer University and again from University of Georgia Law School with a JD.

Reeves, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 99th House District, replacing previous state representative Marvin Lim.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday, May 11.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.