Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) is praising the Senate Committee on Finance after it approved Senate Bill 382, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R–Rome). The bill is a Senate Majority Caucus priority for the 2026 Legislative Session.

Supporters say SB 382 would require the statewide base-year homestead exemption to apply across Georgia by making it mandatory for all local governments, and it would also streamline the process for calling a referendum on a special district option sales and use tax.

Anavitarte said homeowners have faced “unbearable and unrelenting” property tax increases and argued local governments should be working alongside residents, not against them.

Hufstetler pointed to the 2024 passage of House Bill 581, which allowed local governments to opt out of the exemption. He said since then, a number of cities and school systems have opted out, and he believes SB 382 would return the state to a model where participation is required statewide.

The bill now moves to the Senate Committee on Rules, where it must be selected before it can be considered by the full Senate.