Georgia lawmakers may be close to deal to limit rise in property tax bills

ATLANTA (AP) — A deal between the Georgia House and Senate on limiting how much assessed home values can rise for tax purposes may be solidifying, although questions remain about the election-year push for property tax relief.

The Senate Finance Committee on Monday approved a rewritten bill and state constitutional amendment that would limit increases in a home’s value, as assessed for property tax purposes, to 3% per year, unless a local government or school board used a one-time escape hatch to opt out from the cap.

Voters would have to approve the plan in a November referendum.

If approved, the limit would last as long as owners maintain a homestead exemption, typically as long as they own a home.

Property taxes are a hot issue for Georgia lawmakers this year, facing complaints that bills have steadily risen along with home values.

“Property taxes are the No. 1 thing that we hear about,” said Sen. Jason Esteves, an Atlanta Democrat.

And Georgia is far from the only state where lawmakers are reacting to voter discontent over higher levies, with states including Texas, Kansas, Colorado and Pennsylvania seeing the issue take center stage over the past year.

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