State Rep. Eddie Lumsden is sponsoring a measure in the Georgia House designed to deliver property tax relief to eligible seniors residing in Chattooga County, the Georgia State House reports.
Introduced as HB1544 on Thursday, March 12, during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill is formally titled: ‘Chattooga County; ad valorem tax; county purposes; provide a homestead exemption.’
Here is a summary based on the actual bill text, with clarifications as needed for understanding its provisions.
This legislation would allow Chattooga County homeowners who are at least 70 and whose incomes do not exceed $38,000 to claim a homestead exemption of $70,000 off the assessed value of their primary residence for county ad valorem taxes, including those supporting bonded debt. The benefit would not apply to state, municipal, or school taxes, and it would supersede any other county-level homestead exemptions for the same purpose. Qualified applicants need to submit requests with the county tax commissioner and, once approved, the exemption would automatically renew so long as eligibility is maintained. If approved by voters in a referendum in November 2026, the measure would take effect for tax years beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
Sen. Clint Dixon (Republican-45th) is serving as a co-sponsor of the bill.
Lumsden has sponsored a total of 10 bills since the session began, with three enacted.
Lumsden earned a Bachelor of Science from Berry College in 1985.
A member of the Republican Party, Lumsden was first elected to Georgia’s 12th House District in 2013, succeeding Rick Jasperse.
In Georgia, the legislative process typically starts when a legislator, sometimes prompted by a constituent, partners with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After the bill is filed with either the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, it receives an initial reading and is forwarded to committee for analysis and discussion. Upon committee approval, the measure proceeds to the chamber floor for a third reading, further debate, and a vote. To be enacted, the bill must clear both legislative chambers—potentially through a conference committee if versions are dissimilar—before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session or 40 days following adjournment (Sine Die) to sign, veto, or let the bill become law without a signature. The General Assembly convenes annually for a 40-day period starting the second Monday in January.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB1543 | 03/12/2026 | Chattooga County; school district ad valorem tax; homestead exemption; increase income cap |
| HB1263 | 02/10/2026 | Insurance; premiums made within three years of payment to the Commissioner; provide for a claim for a refund of certain fees and taxes |
| HB1262 | 02/10/2026 | Insurance; increase amount of monetary penalties authorized to impose for certain violations of the Georgia Insurance Code |
| HB868 | 03/27/2025 | Public officers and employees; certain retiring county officers and their spouses and dependents be included in certain county health plans; provide |
| HB611 | 02/24/2025 | Forever Chemicals Transparency Act; enact |
| HB511 | 02/19/2025 | Insurance; deductions from taxable income for contributions by taxpayers to catastrophe savings accounts and interest earned on such accounts; provide |
| HB238 | 02/04/2025 | Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council; create and maintain an at-risk adult training course focusing on officer response to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia |
| HB184 | 01/29/2025 | Georgia Consumer Protection Towing Act; enact |
| HB182 | 01/29/2025 | Life insurance; excluding or restricting liability for certain deaths occurring while an individual is an active duty service member; prohibit |
| HB94 | 01/17/2025 | Insurance; medically necessary expenses for standard fertility preservation services when a medically necessary treatment for cancer, sickle cell disease, or lupus may directly or indirectly cause an impairment of fertility; require coverage |
Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.
