Sen. Hufstetler sponsors new property tax bill in Georgia Senate

The new bill, sponsored by State Sen. Chuck Hufstetler in the Georgia Senate, aims to update property tax procedures and standardize homestead exemption administration statewide, according to the Georgia State Senate.

The bill, introduced as SB566 on Wednesday, April 22 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Ad Valorem Taxation of Property; the acceptance of tax digests in the event of a publication error made by a newspaper; provide’.

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

In essence, this bill revises Georgia’s property tax laws to address errors in newspaper publication of tax digests, expand and standardize homestead exemption administration, and change assessment notice requirements. It requires acceptance of tax digests when publication errors are not the fault of local authorities, updates tax bills and assessment notices to list exemptions and estimated tax savings, and mandates bold notices when a local government opts out of certain homestead relief through 2029. The bill refines base year homestead exemption calculations, extends the time to apply for homestead exemptions, and imposes a 50% penalty starting in 2026 on taxpayers who fail to report loss of eligibility. It also creates a statewide homestead database and repeals the requirement to certify an estimated roll-back rate. The bill takes effect upon the governor’s approval and applies to tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026.

The bill was co-sponsored by Sen. John Albers (Republican-56th), Rep. Bruce Williamson (Republican-112th), and Sen. Billy Hickman (Republican-4th), along with two other co-sponsors.

Since the beginning of the session, Hufstetler has proposed another 12 bills, with two of them being adopted.

Hufstetler graduated from the University of Georgia in 1980 with a BS.

Hufstetler, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2013 to represent the state’s 52nd Senate District, replacing previous state senator Barry Loudermilk.

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 Senate. The source data can be found here.