24 LC 50 0764 House Bill 1315 By: Representatives Williams of the 148 th , Meeks of the 178 th , Corbett of the 174 th , Jones of the 25 th , Campbell of the 171 st , and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia 1 Annotated, relating to property tax exemptions, so as to provide for a state-wide exemption2 from all ad valorem taxes for aircraft used exclusively for the aerial application of fertilizers,3 pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, seeds, or other agricultural products; to provide for a4 referendum; to provide for effective dates, applicability, and automatic repeal; to provide for5 compliance with constitutional requirements; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other6 purposes.7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8 SECTION 1.9 Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,10 relating to property tax exemptions, is amended in Code Section 48-5-41, relating to property11 exempt from ad valorem taxation, by revising paragraph (10) of subsection (a) as follows:12 "(10) Aircraft used exclusively for the aerial application of fertilizers, pesticides, 13 herbicides, fungicides, seeds, or any other agricultural product that would normally be14 used in an agricultural operation and can be applied by aerial application Reserved;"15 H. B. 1315 - 1 - 24 LC 50 0764 SECTION 2. 16 The Secretary of State shall call and conduct an election as provided in this section for the17 purpose of submitting this Act to the electors of the entire state for approval or rejection. The18 Secretary of State shall conduct such election on November 5, 2024, and shall issue the call19 and conduct such election as provided by general law. The Secretary of State shall cause the20 date and purpose of the election to be published once a week for two weeks immediately21 preceding the date thereof in the official organ of each county in the state. The ballot shall22 have written or printed thereon the words:23 "( ) YES24 ( ) NO 25 26 27 Shall the Act be approved which grants a state-wide exemption from ad valorem taxes for aircraft used exclusively for the aerial application of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, seeds, or other agricultural products?" All persons desiring to vote for approval of the Act shall vote "Yes," and all persons desiring 28 to vote for rejection of the Act shall vote "No." If more than one-half of the votes cast on29 such question are for approval of the Act, Section 1 of this Act shall become of full force and30 effect on January 1, 2025. If the Act is not so approved or if the election is not conducted31 as provided in this section, Section 1 of this Act shall not become effective, and this Act shall32 be automatically repealed on the first day of January immediately following such election33 date. It shall be the duty of each county election superintendent to certify the result thereof34 to the Secretary of State.35 SECTION 3.36 Except as otherwise provided in Section 2 of this Act, this Act shall become effective upon37 its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval and shall be38 applicable to all taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.39 H. B. 1315 - 2 - 24 LC 50 0764 SECTION 4. 40 In accordance with the requirements of Article VII, Section II, Paragraph II(a)(1) of the41 Constitution of the State of Georgia, Section 1 of this Act shall not become law unless it42 receives the requisite two-thirds' majority vote in both the Senate and the House of43 Representatives.44 SECTION 5.45 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.46 H. B. 1315 - 3 -