ATLANTA — Some homeowners could eventually see a rollback in their property tax bills after Gov. Brian Kemp revised his call for a special session.
Last month, Kemp ordered lawmakers back to the Capitol to redraw district lines and to address legal concerns with the state’s voting system.
On Wednesday he expanded his proclamation to allow lawmakers from each county to vote on a sales tax-funded subsidy for homeowners.
A 1% Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) would go before voters in each county in November if their local legislative delegation approves a referendum at the special legislative session, which starts June 17.
The sales taxes, which would go into effect in 2028, would subsidize property taxes owed by homeowners.
The new sales tax was authorized by Kemp’s signature on Senate Bill 33, which will cap increases in county valuations of owner-occupied homes at the rate of inflation.
The law is aimed at restraining rapid rises in value that have been driving up property tax bills.
Any LHOST approved under SB 33 would apply to a variety of products and services, including food, alcohol and motor fuels up to $3 in retail sales price per gallon.
Kemp’s revised proclamation also calls on lawmakers to ratify after the fact his extended suspension of the 33-cent a gallon motor fuel tax.
After lawmakers temporarily waived that tax in March, Kemp extended it last month using his authority after declaring a state of emergency.
The gas tax suspension ended at midnight Tuesday.
It is unclear how many counties will call for an LHOST.
Clint Mueller, deputy director of ACCG, the association for county commissioners, said Thursday that he had heard of a few interested delegations.