Bill > HB532

This bill modifies two existing code sections related to annual grants for counties with significant state-owned unimproved real property. Specifically, the bill removes language that previously prohibited counties from receiving grants under both Code Section 12-6A-12 and Code Section 48-14-1 (Section 1) and Code Section 48-14-4 and Code Section 48-14-1 (Section 2). The grants are available to counties that have at least 20,000 acres of unimproved state-owned real property under the custody of the Department of Natural Resources, where the state-owned property exceeds 10 percent of the county's taxable real property and represents 10 percent or more of the county's assessed tax digest. The department is required to calculate the value of public services provided by eligible counties each year and request funds in its annual budget to reimburse these counties. The bill limits the allocation of Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund moneys to these grants to no more than 10 percent during any fiscal year. By removing the previous restrictions on receiving multiple grants, the bill appears to provide more flexibility for counties in claiming reimbursement for services related to state-owned unimproved land.

Budget and Finance

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70515