Georgia House bill by Rep. Taylor revising Thomasville excise tax use for tourism passes House and Senate

Newly passed bill authored by State Rep. Darlene Taylor, which won approval in both chambers, aims to revise Thomasville’s excise tax rules to require increased support for tourism and related activities, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Wednesday, April 2, clearing the House by a vote of 165-0 and the Senate by a vote of 55-1.

The bill, introduced as HB855 on Tuesday, March 25 during the 2025 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Thomasville, City of; excise tax; expenditure of certain proceeds; revise provisions’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill revises an existing authorization for the governing authority of the City of Thomasville to levy an excise tax, as outlined in a prior act from 2016. Specifically, it mandates that in any fiscal year where the tax is collected, at least 50% of the amount collected beyond what would be collected at a 5% rate must be used to promote tourism, conventions, and trade shows. This expenditure is to be managed by the city’s designated destination marketing organization or another authorized entity. Additionally, any conflicting laws are repealed to ensure consistency with these revisions.

In the House, 69 Democrats and 96 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 23 Democrats and 32 Republicans voted in favor, while one Republican voted against it.

Taylor, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2011 to represent the state’s 173rd House District, replacing previous state representative Mike Keown.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday, May 13.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.