[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6663795,"mediaKeyId","2389038-5535b2eb61cad0ea1b2cd2667f1adea8","parentId",2389038,"title","Committee hears HB 399 to require in‑state contact or licensed broker for institutional landlords","audioSeconds",565,"startMs",9171000,"endMs",9736000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389038-5535b2eb61cad0ea1b2cd2667f1adea8&start=9171&end=9736","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389038-5535b2eb61cad0ea1b2cd2667f1adea8/thumbnail_9171000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6663795/Georgia/Committee-hears-HB-399-to-require-instate-contact-or-licensed-broker-for-institutional-landlords","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663795-8ca27189e2ca6d2855ffc53ca1a3eadf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151186&Signature=ZFY8VMZVrO2OUkr-Ow7OSeutjWGKz7KqAOHEx7Jz3lNE-8vcHX1VYQemAnpik0UIgswF4EmmG2-1rM7pwl7a93wZ0P2Ix8q34IurJ7A3LkHMsT8HGztwRHfLEApnsb~CyzApoHlEG9hghfZPnAMHk6y0fISHcFGFLo3rkh~RwWn24nCREI4y6dSbXwZqvoIWkNWF4KTZT-uMA8nB3PyhCyiVtWZUru-mfwpJE2MUAFWPILrUWO6rXm2iPF37mGOomvDsxmKkd~3rCqUJkbLemDlrAd1zjyVEBJ2lBOg6rM4KwXyvPVo1vppt5Sp3ACefeMmkHDbCGYFjd-PviEv~Fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-02-25T21:58:22.577Z","article","Representative Albert presented House Bill 399, which would require corporations that own rental housing to designate an in‑state person to receive complaints and manage corrective actions for properties within Georgia.

Supporters said the change is intended to make it easier for tenants and code enforcement to identify responsible parties when repairs or life‑safety issues arise. Georgia Appleseed and the Georgia Municipal Association testified in support, noting that many institutional owners operate through multiple shell companies and out‑of‑state management portals that make local accountability difficult. Georgia Appleseed said seven corporations own more than 51,000 single‑family homes in the Greater Atlanta area and that six of the seven are based out of state or abroad.

Jeff Ledford of the Georgia Realtors proposed an alternative: require that the listed in‑state contact be a licensee under Title 43, Chapter 40 (the Georgia real‑estate licensing statute). Ledford said licensure would create public records, provide consent for service, require trust‑account handling of other people's funds, and give the Real Estate Commission and its recovery fund additional mechanisms for oversight and restitution. He warned that a mere in‑state contact could be a non‑licensed employee with no accountability.

Municipal and academic witnesses also supported HB 399 as a first step toward improved accountability. The committee heard public testimony and documents and did not vote on the measure at the session. Sponsors indicated willingness to continue discussions about whether to require a licensed broker or other registration mechanisms; committee members requested the presenters’ slides and data for follow‑up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Governmental Affairs 02.25.25","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 399 would require institutional owners or their agents to maintain an in‑state contact or designate a licensed Georgia broker for complaint handling and property management; the proposal drew support from municipal and legal aid groups and alternative drafting suggestions from the real estate industry.","taxTitle","Governmental Affairs, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",17215,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663800,"Panel considers HB 305 to cap institutional purchases of single‑family homes",954,7833000,8787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389038-5535b2eb61cad0ea1b2cd2667f1adea8&start=7833&end=8787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389038-5535b2eb61cad0ea1b2cd2667f1adea8/thumbnail_7833000.jpg","/articles/6663800/Georgia/Panel-considers-HB-305-to-cap-institutional-purchases-of-singlefamily-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663800-6f4996353d0905051a0ba2e063d5c01d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151186&Signature=gRKEEjH8jZMhmLjsVa5f8bA8eWn61tD8LibM82OiHCJMFjoPEldllFjau6o3pWhfO6tVVOu7jaizC8FE3BC4o4fyqTzAsskOoKcFQ6G6~A-UNRvXMOLcpTd2ycQQuCUqvQKKG2vTdz4zzHWsybhxop~ct~-L6jROgOZP2Wp0FVVhDEiSmztL5sxMbfVE-OAikOKo0TJBpaIPEsUoMst95TAPac9ebZVDiIGVn877IALhdAG1kYOC64h~bMRv3PSOrfdIrRzcecqww3hcLXxrESWXENHz-lXwWuDOuj4hYQ8d3zzD8-CiC5hngqv4fTdhIil4923Mt-zU5TFkNRFe1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Alalier presented House Bill 305 proposing a cap on the number of single‑family homes that a corporation or real‑estate investment trust may purchase in a single county: 25 homes or a total net asset threshold roughly described as $6,000,000. The sponsor said the goal is to prevent large institutional investors from buying entire neighborhoods and crowding out prospective owner‑occupants.

Academic witnesses presented data showing high concentrations of corporate single‑family rental ownership in Metro Atlanta; witnesses said institutional buyers are sometimes concentrated in particular ZIP codes and census tracts, depressing owner‑occupancy and driving local rent increases. Doctoral and university researchers said some census tracts in Metro Atlanta exceed 50% institutional ownership of single‑family rentals.

The Georgia Association of Realtors and Home Builders Association urged caution. They said institutional capital also provides financing for construction and that limiting who may buy could reduce sources of capital and slow production, which might worsen supply constraints. Builders raised concerns about whether the bill would restrict legitimate partnerships and financing for new home construction.

Multiple local officials and community advocates testified in support, saying corporate purchasing has priced out first‑time buyers, reduced homeownership opportunities, and concentrated rental ownership in particular neighborhoods. The committee received testimony and supporting documents but did not take a vote; the bill was heard only.","House Bill 305 would limit corporate or investment trust purchases of single‑family homes to 25 properties or $6 million in net assets per county; academics and community groups urged limits, while realtors and builders raised concerns about unintended effects on financing and supply.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663805,"Committee hears bill to repeal rent‑control prohibition and allow local rent‑stabilization",1574,6334000,7908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389038-5535b2eb61cad0ea1b2cd2667f1adea8&start=6334&end=7908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389038-5535b2eb61cad0ea1b2cd2667f1adea8/thumbnail_6334000.jpg","/articles/6663805/Georgia/Committee-hears-bill-to-repeal-rentcontrol-prohibition-and-allow-local-rentstabilization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663805-b535188e868bba7cead41c265ea353a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151186&Signature=Vb8IT5x4W76yK2BCtCp6KQs~epiyiqDOIe29mHjJCCyJLRBuYyhYgHI21Uxt6k0LbstAP7~MnCqSpTUBppcWhkCYnLtQWWkEHYeQAMzV5XDrSwc-e6BLsg4h4iBLBjwceKhY~J9ZV3I2NxUqKJ-347xVwrtjv1P0hUi0UwHBIP6zc8gn2R~fC4TMUiomhYYM2kmnDMoDwngSzAPSgnrXwwVPTkBOpqdeIChB72qkEzs7WI2RbD4FzJWCNgh9uo8bHhs1nIZLGLABu00zsfcMVsS2nMcTK5xxu-OKkj31qUf~CcISWb13x2gO7Pu3B~UJJHEmR1QE6zB07d2jBait1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Rhonda Taylor presented House Bill 299, proposing repeal of the state prohibition that prevents local governments from enacting rent control, and argued localities should be allowed to adopt rent stabilization appropriate to local conditions.

Taylor cited HUD data and state estimates of homelessness and housing cost burdens and said Georgia’s rent increases outpaced income growth in recent years. She described HB 299 as a tool that would allow municipalities to “stabilize rent prices and protect tenants from excessive increases,” while pairing with other laws such as HB 404 (the “Safe at Home Act”) to improve habitability and tenant protections.

Academic witnesses, including Taylor Shelton (Georgia State University) and Laura Raymond (Georgia Tech), testified in favor of repealing the preemption, citing evidence that institutional investment and landlord practices have contributed to rising rents and that modest annual caps (for example, a percentage plus inflation) have been proposed as less‑disruptive forms of rent stabilization. Housing advocates, including the Housing Justice League, also supported the bill as a tool to reduce displacement and housing instability.

Trade groups such as the Georgia Association of Realtors and the Georgia Apartment Association opposed the bill. They said local variation could create complexity for property owners, and they argued supply‑side solutions (increasing housing production) are the better long‑term remedy. The Georgia Association of Realtors noted concerns about interaction with property taxes and local fiscal policy.

Committee members asked about how local control would work; the sponsor said repeal would give municipalities flexibility to tailor responses to local supply and demand. The committee took testimony in a hearing‑only format and did not vote on HB 299 at the meeting.","House Bill 299 would repeal the state prohibition on rent control (Code section 44‑7‑19) and allow municipalities to adopt rent‑stabilization measures; academics and tenant advocates supported the change while builders and apartment industry groups opposed it.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663808,"Committee hears HB 62 to create new oversight rules for HOAs and condo associations",1561,4327000,5888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389038-5535b2eb61cad0ea1b2cd2667f1adea8&start=4327&end=5888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389038-5535b2eb61cad0ea1b2cd2667f1adea8/thumbnail_4327000.jpg","/articles/6663808/Georgia/Committee-hears-HB-62-to-create-new-oversight-rules-for-HOAs-and-condo-associations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663808-c66668c53b58e98201123a405a77419b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151186&Signature=ACh3jXbT1tx8IpVQklkxuoHeBbjknxkttdDylwyq1ptYhnfQPPDCa4pTv9qTsYHjv0~~FlxZVZvAlF3zjJ2OpBNBu608DKtIsQQQR5CblJsglKbgmTfw3OfbOybNfYwzT1UYK1~vWha0SEEYnIHwhzUeMFUjpc2Ez4KVl8YC2~QwbmbstCq-Q4sghJ35SE517siTeRX7IkWYyMlBQA8wdVZNPy7ZWmdKI5n~E00djsPSUsxCLRhRFnESwv2UoG5iuz5pxSZ59HYVPmZ2CZ19n0nnXSE7BA9Jljzaz4F45o2jLA9myUKiZUHMIthiEbUhB2DmyvzROtuaQRCOaG1xIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Sandra Scott presented House Bill 62, the “Georgia HOA Accountability and Community Empowerment Act,” to the Governmental Affairs committee, describing a package of governance, election and transparency requirements for homeowners associations (HOAs) and condominium associations.

Scott said the bill would require board members to be residents of the communities they govern, establish annual elections with one vote per unit, require HOAs to maintain ballot records for public inspection, create a petition process to contest election outcomes, and empower the Secretary of State’s office to oversee HOA elections and investigate disputes. The sponsor said failure to comply — for example, not meeting board size requirements — could result in administrative suspension.

Testimony in support came from multiple residents and local officials who described specific local problems: absentee or out‑of‑state board presidents, long‑standing boards that have resisted turnover, selective enforcement and excessive fines, and difficulty making quorum. City Councilwoman Linda Pritchard, identified in the hearing as the bill’s author, and South Fulton Mayor Pro Tem Linda Pritchett both urged stronger resident representation on boards. Patricia Wise, a U.S. Army veteran and resident of Oakley Township, said: “If we require…driver’s license, all require residency…why doesn't HOAs?” (testimony summarized from the public record).

The Home Builders Association of Georgia opposed the bill, saying developers need tools — including developer voting power and management team members on boards — to maintain design standards and ensure orderly build‑out; the presenter from the association warned those tools should expire only once appropriate turnover conditions are met. Several witnesses and HOA board members supported adding education and certification for managers and board members as part of any reform.

Committee members asked about whether the Secretary of State had been consulted; the sponsor said she had not discussed the bill with the Secretary of State’s office. The committee held the bill as hearing‑only to gather input; no vote or formal action on HB 62 was recorded in the transcript.","House Bill 62, the Georgia HOA Accountability and Community Empowerment Act, drew multiple homeowners, local officials, and trade groups to a full‑committee hearing. Supporters urged more oversight and residency rules for board members; builders warned the proposal could limit developer tools during build‑out.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663812,"Committee approves substitute to restore enterprise-zone redevelopment timeline",230,4058000,4288000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389038-5535b2eb61cad0ea1b2cd2667f1adea8&start=4058&end=4288","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389038-5535b2eb61cad0ea1b2cd2667f1adea8/thumbnail_4058000.jpg","/articles/6663812/Georgia/Committee-approves-substitute-to-restore-enterprise-zone-redevelopment-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663812-0c66cbce0a479eb943a9b6cb372e5459/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151186&Signature=Q0M6EmDO-lD8PzTavNvmP~QB8bv8UFVC1vpzUau25K-taSpYbLNp~OZ1ej1WxoxBJ7TzWvlTYFTXTfI3mRbnaKsOIYwXBoY-hUCJPmtL3AGHE4G6f5prXcrNmkLFwZQQXknkJDMfn22VMznl~OQWvf3FyxE4cqiTcEpu1Wy9TnMvytRqdE2gvFwEotoEo19x1zlFplxTD2GBGzryWR8v66UfFcI4Eh1md4ylTTHJPdHrWyxG~i5M-P5YIdQ~BuFWwd3t7~VGU~HH49nzIwqsKL41fywmWGjkbk3~KX7~hGTrTD-Px1ICAy5sXGWy4NxYEn1k1Zd9c818qvEATGxhHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A House Governmental Affairs committee approved a committee substitute to House Bill 416 that sponsors said is intended to restore the original timetable and implementation features of an existing enterprise‑zone statute.

Supporters told the committee the statute as written applies statewide and defines eligible enterprise zones as locations that have been chronically underdeveloped for 20 years or more and that host proposed redevelopment projects with a minimum of $400,000,000 in capital investment. Sponsor materials described the provision as enabling long‑term (30‑year) bonds tied to exemptions authorized under the law.

Committee members said delays in implementation after the law passed in the late 2010s prevented the original timetable from being met. The sponsor characterized the substitute as “simply an attempt to get us back to what the intent of the legislation was originally,” and said it makes no other substantive policy changes.

The committee voted to adopt the committee substitute by voice vote; the record shows the motion carried. The committee did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript.

The committee chair moved to the next agenda items after the vote.","A House committee approved a committee substitute to House Bill 416 to restore the original implementation timetable for an enterprise‑zone redevelopment mechanism tied to large capital projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears HB 399 to require in‑state contact or licensed broker for institutional landlords

Panel considers HB 305 to cap institutional purchases of single‑family homes

Committee hears bill to repeal rent‑control prohibition and allow local rent‑stabilization

Committee hears HB 62 to create new oversight rules for HOAs and condo associations

Committee approves substitute to restore enterprise-zone redevelopment timeline