Amendment 1: The Farmland and Timber Tax Break
This proposed amendment asks voters if they want to double the amount of land that qualifies for a special, lower property tax rate. Currently, landowners can enroll up to 2,000 acres of 'bona fide conservation use property'—primarily agricultural or timberland—and have it taxed at 40% of its market value. A 'yes' vote on Amendment 1 would increase that cap to 4,000 acres. Supporters argue this change is crucial for preserving family farms and timber operations by easing their tax burden, which helps prevent large tracts of rural land from being sold off for development. Opponents, however, raise concerns that this is a significant tax break primarily benefiting large landowners and timber corporations, which could shift the tax burden onto
smaller homeowners or require cuts to local services funded by property taxes.
Amendment 2: Making Probate Judge Elections Nonpartisan
This measure proposes to remove party labels from the elections for Georgia's 159 probate judges. These judges handle critical local matters, including wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses. A 'yes' vote would mean candidates for probate judge would run without a (D) or (R) next to their name on the ballot, similar to how judges for the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals are already elected. Proponents believe this change will help insulate these crucial judicial roles from partisan politics, encouraging judges to be impartial and accountable to the law rather than a political party. Opponents argue that party affiliation provides voters with a useful shortcut to understand a candidate's general philosophy and that removing the label could make it harder for voters to make informed choices, potentially favoring candidates who are independently wealthy or have high name recognition.
Amendment 3: Creating a Dedicated Fund for Next-Gen 911
This amendment would authorize the state legislature to create a special, protected fund for modernizing Georgia's 911 systems. A 'yes' vote supports allowing lawmakers to dedicate specific revenue streams exclusively to the 'Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund'. This modernization effort aims to upgrade emergency communications to handle not just calls, but also texts, images, and video data, improving response times and capabilities. Supporters, including many in public safety, say a dedicated fund is essential to ensure that money intended for 911 upgrades isn't diverted to other parts of the state budget during lean years. While there is little formal opposition, some fiscal watchdogs express caution about constitutionally walling-off funds, as it can reduce the legislature's flexibility to address other urgent needs that may arise in the future.
