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GA HB685

GA HB685
Bartow County Community Improvement Districts Act; enact


summary

Introduced
02/28/2025
In Committee
03/27/2025
Crossed Over
03/10/2025
Passed
04/10/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/13/2025

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT To provide for the creation of one or more community improvement districts in Bartow County; to provide for a short title; to provide for the purposes of said districts; to provide for definitions; to provide for boards to administer said districts; to provide for appointment or election of members of said boards; to provide for taxes, fees, and assessments; to provide for the boundaries of said districts; to provide for the debt of said districts; to provide for cooperation with local governments; to provide for powers of said boards; to provide for general obligation bonds, notes, and other obligations of said districts; to provide for the form of bonds, provisions for exchange and transfer, certificates of validation, specification of interest rates in notice to the district attorney or the Attorney General, and in notice of validation hearing, etc., and definition of terms "cost of the project" or "cost of any project" as used in bond resolutions, etc.; to provide for authorized contents of agreements and instruments of the boards generally, use of proceeds of sale of bonds, notes, etc., and subsequent issue of bonds, notes, etc.; to provide for construction; to provide that Chapter 5 of Title 10 of the O.C.G.A. shall not apply to the offer, sale, or issuance of the boards' bonds, notes, or other obligations; to provide that no notice, proceeding, publication, or referendum shall be required; to provide for dissolutions; to provide for procedures connected with all of the foregoing; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. HB 685/AP

AI Summary

This bill establishes a framework for creating one or more Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) in Bartow County, Georgia. The bill allows for the creation of districts within unincorporated areas, municipalities, or a combination of both, with the primary purpose of providing governmental services such as road construction, parks, storm-water systems, water development, and parking facilities. The districts will be governed by a board composed of seven to nine members, including appointees from Bartow County and local municipalities, with the remaining members elected by property owners. The board can levy taxes and assessments on non-residential real property up to 5 mills, which will be used to fund district improvements and services. Property owners within the proposed district must provide written consent for its creation, with at least 75 percent of property owners by value agreeing to the district's formation. The districts have broad powers, including the ability to acquire property, issue bonds, enter into contracts, and provide public services, while being exempt from certain state securities regulations. The bill also provides a mechanism for dissolving a district after six years, with specific consent requirements from property owners and governing authorities. Importantly, the districts cannot advocate for or against ballot measures, and their creation and operation are designed to complement, not replace, existing county and municipal services.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Effective Date 2025-05-13 (on 05/13/2025)

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