Section 48-5A-3. Local assistance grants

   (a) Pursuant to the appropriation of funds as provided in Code Section 48-5A-2, such grants shall be allotted to each county, municipality, and county or independent school district in the state as provided in this Code section.

(b) The revenue reduction to each county, municipality, and county or independent school district shall be calculated by subtracting the aggregate forest land conservation use value of qualified properties from the aggregate forest land fair market value of qualified properties for the applicable tax year and the resulting amount shall be multiplied by the millage rate of the county, municipality, or county or independent school district.

(c) (1) (A) Immediately following the actual preparation of ad valorem property tax bills, each county fiscal authority shall notify the department of the amount of the reduction pursuant to the implementation of Article VII, Section I, Paragraph III(f) of the Constitution.

      (B) If the forest land conservation use property is located in a county where forest land conservation use value causes an ad valorem tax revenue reduction of 3 percent or less pursuant to Article VII, Section I, Paragraph III(f) of the Constitution, in each taxable year in which such reduction occurs, the assistance grant to the county shall be in an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of such reduction.

      (C) If the forest land conservation use property is located in a county where forest land conservation use value causes an ad valorem tax revenue reduction of more than 3 percent pursuant to Article VII, Section I, Paragraph III(f) of the Constitution, in each taxable year in which such reduction occurs, the assistance grants to the county shall be as follows:

         (i) For the first 3 percent of such reduction amount, in an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of such reduction; and

         (ii) For the remainder of such reduction amount, in an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of such remaining reduction amount.

   (2) (A) Immediately following the actual preparation of ad valorem property tax bills, each county or independent school district's fiscal authority shall notify the department of the amount of the reduction pursuant to the implementation of Article VII, Section I, Paragraph III(f) of the Constitution.

      (B) If the forest land conservation use property is located in a county or independent school district where forest land conservation use value causes an ad valorem tax revenue reduction of 3 percent or less pursuant to Article VII, Section I, Paragraph III(f) of the Constitution, in each taxable year in which such reduction occurs, the assistance grant to the county or independent school district shall be in an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of such reduction.

      (C) If the forest land conservation use property is located in a county or independent school district where forest land conservation use value causes an ad valorem tax revenue reduction of more than 3 percent pursuant to Article VII, Section I, Paragraph III(f) of the Constitution, in each taxable year in which such reduction occurs, the assistance grant to the county or independent school district shall be as follows:

         (i) For the first 3 percent of such reduction amount, in an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of such reduction; and

         (ii) For the remainder of such reduction amount, in an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of such remaining reduction amount.

   (3) (A) Immediately following the actual preparation of ad valorem property tax bills, each municipality's fiscal authority shall notify the department of the amount of the reduction pursuant Article VII, Section I, Paragraph III(f) of the Constitution.

      (B) If the forest land conservation use property is located in a municipality where forest land conservation use value causes an ad valorem tax revenue reduction of 3 percent or less to Article VII, Section I, Paragraph III(f) of the Constitution, in each taxable year in which such reduction occurs, the assistance grant to the municipality shall be in an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of such reduction.

      (C) If the forest land conservation use property is located in a municipality where forest land conservation use value causes an ad valorem tax revenue reduction of more than 3 percent pursuant to Article VII, Section I, Paragraph III(f) of the Constitution, in each taxable year in which such reduction occurs, the assistance grant to the municipality shall be as follows:

         (i) For the first 3 percent of such reduction amount, in an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of such reduction; and

         (ii) For the remainder of such reduction amount, in an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of such remaining reduction amount.

Code 1981, § 48-5A-3, enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 297, § 4/HB 1211.