25 LC 47 3467S/AP
House Bill 532 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representative DeLoach of the 167
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Code Section 12-6A-12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
1
annual grant when state owns property and calculations, so as to revise provisions related to2
certain counties claiming such grant while also claiming similar grants in Chapter 14 of3
Title 48, relating to grants and special revenue disbursements; to amend Code4
Section 48-14-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to annual grant to5
counties with 20,000 or more acres of unimproved real estate owned by Department of6
Natural Resources, so as to revise provisions related to counties claiming such grant while7
also claiming similar grants; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and8
for other purposes.9
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:10
SECTION 1.11
Code Section 12-6A-12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to annual grant12
when state owns property and calculations, is amended by revising said Code section as13
follows:14
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"12-6A-12.
15
(a) Each county in which is located 20,000 acres or more of unimproved real property16
belonging to the state and under the custody or control of the department, in which such17
state-owned property exceeds 10 percent of the taxable real property in the county, and in18
which such property represents 10 percent or more of the assessed tax digest of the county19
may receive from the department an annual grant as provided in this Code section.20
(b) For each county eligible to receive a grant pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code21
section, the department shall calculate the approximate value of public services which the22
county provides the department each year; provided, however, that such sum shall not23
exceed the amount the county would charge any other landowner for such services. The24
department shall request funds in its annual operating budget each year to reimburse all25
eligible counties for the provision of such services. In the event the amount appropriated26
in any year is less than the amount requested, each eligible county shall receive a pro rata27
share based on the estimated value of services provided.28
(c) The department is directed to make an annual calculation of the amount of unimproved29
state-owned real property under its custody or control and determine which counties are30
eligible for a grant pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section. The first such31
determination shall be completed not later than December 31, 2020, and each subsequent32
determination shall be made not later than December 31 of each year. The department is33
further directed to calculate the approximate value of public services provided by each34
eligible county as provided in subsection (a) of
this Code section.35
(d) Only land acquired with Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund moneys shall be used in the36
calculation of this grant.37
(e) No more than 10 percent of Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund moneys shall be allocated38
to grants to offset local taxes during any fiscal year.39
(f) No county shall be authorized to receive a grant of funds pursuant to both this Code40
section and Code Section 48-14-1."41
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SECTION 2.
42
Code Section 48-14-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to annual grant to43
counties with 20,000 or more acres of unimproved real estate owned by Department of44
Natural Resources, is amended by revising said Code section as follows:45
"48-14-4.46
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'department' means the Department of Natural47
Resources.48
(b) Each county in which is located 20,000 acres or more of unimproved real property49
belonging to the state and under the custody or control of the department, in which such50
state owned property exceeds 10 percent of the taxable real property in the county, and in51
which such property represents 10 percent or more of the assessed tax digest of the county52
may receive from the department an annual grant as provided in this Code section.53
(c) For each county eligible to receive a grant pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code54
section, the department shall calculate the approximate value of public services which the55
county provides the department each year; provided, however, that such sum shall not56
exceed the amount the county would charge any other landowner for such services. The57
department shall request funds in its annual operating budget each year to reimburse all58
eligible counties for the provision of such services. In the event the amount appropriated59
in any year is less than the amount requested, each eligible county shall receive a pro rata60
share based on the estimated value of services provided.61
(d) The department is directed to make an annual calculation of the amount of unimproved62
state owned real property under its custody or control and determine which counties are63
eligible for a grant pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section. The first such64
determination shall be completed not later than December 31, 1993, and each subsequent65
determination shall be made not later than December 31 of each year. The department is66
further directed to calculate the approximate value of public services provided by each67
eligible county as provided in subsection (c) of this Code section.68
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(e) No county shall be authorized to receive a grant of funds pursuant to both this Code69
section and Code Section 48-14-1."70
SECTION 3.71
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.72
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