Committee hears bill to create 'Better Georgia Without Blight' fund; DCA asked to return with details

Representative Berry introduced House Bill 753 to establish the "Better Georgia Without Blight" fund administered through the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Berry told the committee that an estimated "about 582,000 blighted properties" exist in Georgia and said the bill aims to stabilize property values and local tax digests by providing grants and technical assistance for rehabilitation or demolition.

Berry emphasized the fiscal approach: "It does not require a new appropriation from the General Assembly. It just instead gives the DCA the authority to pull from existing sources of funding and grants in administering this fund." He said the substitute adds a requirement that applicants seeking rehabilitation include a letter of support from local community organizations to reduce displacement risk.

Members asked detailed questions about private property rights, whether counties could be empowered to take ownership of properties, and the bill’s effect on local processes. Several representatives stressed the bill is designed to provide grants and technical support—not to force conveyance—and said any property acquisition or eminent‑domain actions would continue to be governed by existing local ordinances and high legal thresholds.

Ryan Evans, DCA director of external affairs, told the committee DCA has related programs and is willing to analyze potential staffing or fiscal impacts; he offered to return with details. In light of those outstanding questions, the committee left HB 753 as a hearing-only item and asked DCA staff to report back. The chair proposed a small working group of members to meet with DCA to refine implementation questions.

Next steps: DCA will be asked to clarify program mechanics, staffing and whether existing DCA funds and grant authorities suffice to operate the proposed program without new appropriations. The committee did not take a vote on the bill at this hearing.