Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HB753 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	25 LC 52 0740
2	2	House Bill 753
3	3	By: Representatives Berry of the 56
4	4	th
5	5	, Frye of the 122
6	6	nd
7	7	, Herring of the 145
8	8	th
9	9	, Olaleye of the
10	10	59
11	11	th
12	12	, and Reese of the 140
13	13	th
14	14
15	15	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
16	16	AN ACT
17	17	To amend Chapter 8 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the
18	18	1
19	19	Department of Community Affairs, so as to establish the Better Georgia Without Blight Fund2
20	20	for the purpose of providing financing and technical assistance for the rehabilitation of3
21	21	blighted properties; to provide for definitions; to provide for such fund; to provide for criteria4
22	22	and standards; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for reporting; to provide for5
23	23	automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for6
24	24	legislative findings; to provide for an effective date conditioned upon appropriations; to7
25	25	repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.8
26	26	BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9
27	27	SECTION 1.10
28	28	This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Better Georgia Without Blight Act."11
29	29	SECTION 2.12
30	30	The General Assembly finds that:13
31	31	(1) The existence of real property that is maintained in a blighted condition increases14
32	32	burdens on state and local governments by increasing the need for government services,15
33	33	H. B. 753
34	34	- 1 - 25 LC 52 0740
35	35	including but not limited to social services, public safety services, and code enforcement
36	36	16
37	37	services;17
38	38	(2) Notwithstanding current methods of addressing blighted properties, there is a need18
39	39	for the state to provide financing and technical assistance to help local, municipal, county,19
40	40	or consolidated governments throughout this state to take on the formidable task of20
41	41	encouraging the rehabilitation of blighted properties or the actual rehabilitation of such21
42	42	properties;22
43	43	(3) The rehabilitation of blighted properties decreases the need for state and local23
44	44	government services, which saves resources;24
45	45	(4) The rehabilitation of blighted properties improves communities by making them safer25
46	46	and more attractive places in which to live, work, and play, and the improvement of26
47	47	communities leads to better residents, better employees, and better customers; and27
48	48	(5) Improved communities will strengthen Georgia's status as number one for business28
49	49	and number one for homes.29
50	50	SECTION 3.30
51	51	Chapter 8 of Title 50 the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of31
52	52	Community Affairs, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows:32
53	53	"ARTICLE 14
54	54	33
55	55	50-8-400.34
56	56	As used in this article, the term:35
57	57	(1) 'Better Georgia Without Blight Fund' or 'fund' means the assistance program36
58	58	established pursuant to this article.37
59	59	(2) 'Blighted property' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 22-1-1.38
60	60	(3) 'Commissioner' means the commissioner of community affairs.39
61	61	H. B. 753
62	62	- 2 - 25 LC 52 0740
63	63	(4) 'Department' means the Department of Community Affairs.40
64	64	50-8-401.41
65	65	(a) The Better Georgia Without Blight Fund is established within the department for the42
66	66	purpose of assisting local, municipal, county, or consolidated governments with financing,43
67	67	including loans, loan guarantees, and matching grants, and technical assistance to44
68	68	encourage the rehabilitation of blighted properties.45
69	69	(b) The commissioner shall serve as the director of the fund.46
70	70	(c) The department shall be authorized to apply for, receive, administer, and use any grant,47
71	71	other financial assistance, or other funds made available to the department from any48
72	72	government or other source for furthering the purposes of the fund.49
73	73	50-8-402.50
74	74	(a) The department shall establish criteria and standards for eligible applicants and eligible51
75	75	blighted properties.52
76	76	(b) The department shall establish criteria, implement an application process, and provide53
77	77	financing and technical assistance consistent with the provisions of this article. Such54
78	78	criteria shall include documentation of:55
79	79	(1) A public inspection of the parcel of property and an official identification of such56
80	80	property as blighted property;57
81	81	(2) Written notice of the identification of the parcel of property as blighted property to58
82	82	the property owner;59
83	83	(3) At least one stakeholder meeting allowing for response from the property owner and60
84	84	the community;61
85	85	(4) Revenue loss from blighted property's condition;62
86	86	(5) Local commitment to the rehabilitation of the property; and63
87	87	H. B. 753
88	88	- 3 - 25 LC 52 0740
89	89	(6) Any other requirements that the department determines as necessary for the64
90	90	successful rehabilitation of a blighted property.65
91	91	50-8-403.66
92	92	The department shall be authorized to promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to67
93	93	implement and administer this article.68
94	94	50-8-404.69
95	95	Beginning July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall submit a detailed70
96	96	report to the Governor and notify members of the General Assembly of the availability of71
97	97	such report in the manner which it deems to be most effective and efficient. The annual72
98	98	report shall contain the department's findings and recommendations regarding the73
99	99	implementation of this article. Such annual reports shall be published on the department's74
100	100	internet website and shall be made publicly available.75
101	101	50-8-405.76
102	102	This article shall be automatically repealed on June 30, 2031, unless continued in effect by77
103	103	the General Assembly prior to such date."78
104	104	SECTION 4.79
105	105	(a) This Act shall become effective only if funds are specifically appropriated for the80
106	106	purposes of this Act in an appropriations Act enacted by the General Assembly.81
107	107	(b) If funds are so appropriated, then this Act shall become effective on the later of:82
108	108	(1) The date on which such appropriations Act becomes effective; or83
109	109	(2) The beginning date of the fiscal year for which such appropriations are made.84
110	110	H. B. 753
111	111	- 4 - 25 LC 52 0740
112	112	SECTION 5.
113	113	85
114	114	All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.86
115	115	H. B. 753
116	116	- 5 -