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GA SB508

GA SB508
"Community Housing Options Increase Efficiency (CHOICE) Act"; enact

summary

Introduced
02/12/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT To amend Titles 12, 32, and 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conservation and natural resources, highways, bridges, and ferries, and state government, respectively, so as to provide for a system whereby certain local governments may seek certifications from the Department of Community Affairs upon the enactment of certain policies that can be used to receive priority in grant and loan applications submitted to state agencies; to provide that the Department of Natural Resources give priority to certified local governments in awarding grants under the federal recreational trails program; to provide that certain certified local governments are not required to provide matching funds when receiving grants under the local maintenance and improvement grant program; to provide that the Department of Community Affairs give priority to certified local governments in awarding grants and loans; to provide for the certification of local governments by the Department of Community Affairs upon the enactment of certain policies; to provide for the revocation of such certifications; to provide for the verification of such certifications by other state agencies; to provide for the determination of population size and median household income of local jurisdictions; to provide for statutory construction; to provide that the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority give priority to certified local governments when awarding grants and loans; to provide definitions; to provide exceptions; to provide for related matters; to provide a short title; to provide legislative findings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the "Community Housing Options Increase Cost Efficiency (CHOICE) Act," aims to address Georgia's housing crisis by incentivizing local governments to adopt policies that promote affordable housing construction. It establishes a certification system managed by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), where local governments that enact specific "qualifying policies" can become certified as "workforce housing ready communities," "workforce housing ready experts," or "workforce and home ownership leaders." These certifications, which require adopting a tiered set of policies related to housing density, building materials, parking, and more, will grant these certified local governments priority in receiving grants and loans from various state agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources for recreational trails, the DCA itself, and the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority. Additionally, certified local governments may be exempt from providing matching funds for certain grant programs, such as the local maintenance and improvement grant program. The bill also defines terms like "accessory dwelling unit" and "cottage courtyard" and outlines how the DCA will determine which local governments qualify for certification based on population, median household income, and the number and type of housing policies adopted.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (17)

Last Action

Senate Read and Referred (on 02/17/2026)

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