(The Center Square) – Some Georgia cities and counties could vote on an additional 1-cent sales tax in November, thanks to an addition to the agenda for the June 17 General Assembly’s special session.
Gov. Brian Kemp added Senate Bill 33 to the special session’s agenda, which allows cities and counties to implement a special one-penny sales tax to offset property taxes. But the additional sales tax requires voter approval.
With Kemp’s addition to the special session proclamation, lawmakers could introduce legislation to allow the cities and counties they represent to get a referendum on the November ballot, according to a Kemp spokesman.
House Speaker Jon Burns said at the beginning of the legislative session that ending homestead property taxes was his priority. The state does not levy a property tax. Only cities, counties and local school boards do. The bill does not allow school boards to implement the sales tax.
Kemp will also ask the General Assembly to officially approve an additional two-week suspension of the motor fuel tax, which ended earlier this week. A two-month tax suspension, which ran through May 20, was approved by lawmakers during their regular session. The governor extended the tax break through the Memorial Day weekend when gas prices were hovering around $4.
The General Assembly will also consider redrawing the state’s congressional districts. Unlike other states, the new lines will not take effect for the November midterms but will be in place for the 2028 elections.
A 2024 bill passed by lawmakers that bans the use of QR codes during ballot counting by election officials is also on the agenda. Senate Bill 189 was not funded and takes effect on July 1.
Voters in the 13th Congressional District will vote July 28 on a successor to serve out the remainder of the late U.S. Rep. David Scott’s term. Some members of the Georgia State Election Board said Thursday they are concerned the General Assembly would not reach an agreement before the election.
Vice Chairwoman Janelle King presented a resolution that would allow local election officials to use hand-marked ballots if lawmakers did not resolve the situation.
“It is the explicit duty of the State Election Board to obtain uniformity in the practices and proceedings of superintendents, registrars, deputy registrars, poll officers and other officials and to maintain the legality and purity in all primaries and elections,” King said. “Election superintendents require ample lead time to secure supplies, train poll workers and inform the public. Waiting for a last-minute legislative action or judicial ruling without a pre-authorized plan will jeopardize the stability of the election.”
Local election officials will get the notice before the June 17 legislative session, King said. The board approved it 3-1, with board member Sara Tindall Ghazal casting the only vote against it. Chairman John Fervier did not vote.
