Reps. Jordan Ridley and Charlice Byrd Introduce Legislation to Provide Homestead Exemption from Cherokee County Ad Valorem Taxes

ATLANTA - State Representatives Jordan Ridley (R-Woodstock) and Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) recently introduced House Bill 33EX during the 2026 special session to provide a homestead exemption from Cherokee County ad valorem taxes.

"The House has made strides in 2026 to advance much-needed property tax relief legislation," said Reps. Ridley and Byrd. "We introduced this bill with the goal of ensuring that our constituents' voices are heard regarding the rising cost of property taxes. We hope that the county commission will support the bill, so that we can move it forward and provide property tax relief for county residents. We are confident that if we can get this on the November ballot for our constituents' approval, we can provide financial relief for residents."

HB 33EX would provide a homestead exemption from Cherokee County ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property, which would be determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST). The legislation would provide for a referendum on the November 2026 ballot for Cherokee County residents.

To view the full text of HB 33EX, please click here.

Representative Jordan Ridley represents the citizens of District 22, which includes portions of Cherokee and Cobb counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Code Revision Committee and Secretary of the Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee. He also serves on the Game, Fish and Parks and Public Safety and Homeland Security committees.

Representative Charlice Byrd represents the citizens of District 20, which includes a portion of Cherokee County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves on the Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Economic Development & Tourism, Game, Fish & Parks, Human Relations & Aging, Judiciary Non-Civil, State Planning & Community Affairs and Transportation committees.

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