Georgia House bill by Rep. Kelley granting Cedartown redevelopment powers passes House and Senate

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Trey Kelley seeks to allow Cedartown to engage in community redevelopment and use tax allocation districts, following approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Wednesday, Feb. 19, clearing the House by a vote of 163-0 and the Senate by a vote of 51-0.

The bill, introduced as HB359 on Monday, Feb. 10 during the 2025 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Cedartown, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill authorizes the City of Cedartown, Georgia, to exercise redevelopment powers in accordance with Article IX, Section II, Paragraph VII(b) of the Georgia Constitution and the “Redevelopment Powers Law” outlined in Chapter 44 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A. It empowers Cedartown to engage in community redevelopment, form tax allocation districts, issue tax allocation bonds, and incur related obligations. A referendum will be conducted to seek voter approval, scheduled for the Tuesday following the third Tuesday in March 2025. If approved by the majority of electors, the bill’s provisions become effective immediately; otherwise, they will be repealed on Jan. 1 following the election. Conflicting laws will be repealed upon the bill’s enactment.

In the House, 69 Democrats and 94 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 20 Democrats and 31 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

Kelley graduated from Shorter University in 2008 with a BS and again in 2014 from Georgia State University College of Law with a JD.

Kelley, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2013 to represent the state’s 16th House District, replacing previous state representative Rick Crawford.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.