Water Quality (23)

Date of Last Recorded Action: 4/8/2024

HB 0171 InactiveMeriwether County Water and Sewerage Authority; members and chairperson; change designation Robert Trammell
5/1/2017 Effective Date Intragovernmental Coordination State and Local Governmental Operations -
Local Legislation Nat. Res. & the Environment Sewer/Septage Water Quality Water Quantity
HB 0205 SupportFracking Regulations John Meadows
5/8/2018 Effective Date Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2017/02/03-Report 2017/02/24 - Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/17 - Report 2017/03/24 - Report
2018/02/02 Report 2018/03/09 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance
Sales Tax-Local Water Quality Water Quantity

This legislation amends the Oil and Gas Deep Drilling Act of 1975. It requires the creation of regulations governing hydraulic fracturing. Counties and cities have the ability to adopt local zoning or land use ordinances limiting the location or timing of fracking activities to protect natural resources, human life and human welfare. A three percent severance tax will be required from the sale price of the gas and oil obtained. Counties, where the fracking occurs, can enact local ordinances or resolutions to levy its own severance tax, which can't exceed nine cents per barrel of oil or two cents per thousand cubic feet of gas.  
HB 0387 NeutralSolid Waste Management - Coal Ash (Utilities) Jeff Jones
2/17/2017 House Second Readers Natural Resources & Environment --
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Solid Waste Water Quality
This legislation addresses the disposal of coal combustion residuals (coal ash) and requires certain electric utilities and power producers to convert to dry storage.
HB 0512 OpposeStorm Water Utility Fees - Water Neutral Properties Regina Quick
3/1/2017 House Second Readers Natural Resources & Environment --
Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Health and Human Services Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance
Stormwater Water Quality
This legislation prohibits counties and cities from assessing stormwater utility fees on properties certified as a water-neutral site by a professional engineer. The property owner would be responsible for submitting the proof of certification. 
HB 0777 NeutralHistoric Chattahoochee Commission Repealed Gerald Greene
7/1/2018 Effective Date Interstate Cooperation Interstate Cooperation -
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Water Quality Water Quantity
The legislation repeals in its entirety the Historic Chattahoochee Commission (HCC), which was organized in the 1970s to promote tourism and historic preservation throughout the Lower Chattahoochee River Valley. More info on the HCC can be found here.
HB 0879 NeutralSolid Waste Management - Coal Ash Ponds / Dewatering Process Jeff Jones
3/27/2018 Senate Tabled Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2018/02/09 Report 2018/03/2 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Water Quality
This legislation addresses coal combustion residuals (coal ash), specifically related to coal ash ponds and the dewatering process. The owner or operator of a coal ash pond would be required to provide notice to the legal organ where the coal ash pond is located at the start of the dewatering process. Dewatering is defined in this bill as the process of removing liquids from a coal ash pond and discharging said liquids into state waters. 
HB 0880 EvaluatingSolid Waste Management - Coal Ash in Landfills Jeff Jones
2/13/2018 House Second Readers Natural Resources and Environment --
2018/02/09 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Solid Waste Water Quality
This legislation provides guidelines for the disposal of coal combustion residuals (coal ash) in public and private landfills. Landfill owners or operators would have to notify the public of their intent to accept coal ash by placing a notice in the legal organ of the county. Landfills currently accepting coal ash would have to comply with new criteria set out by this legislation. 
HB 0884 EvaluatingFluoridate Water - Counties Can Decide Karen Mathiak
2/13/2018 House Second Readers Health and Human Services --
2018/02/09 Report Elections General County Government Health and Human Services Kathleen Bowen
Nat. Res. & the Environment Water Quality
This legislation allows counties, via the adoption of a resolution, the option of being included or excluded from the Department of Natural Resources' requirement to fluoridate potable water.  Current law requires 10 percent of the voters in the last election to sign a petition, then approval through a referendum, to opt out of water fluoridation.  The challenge will be with a water system serving multiple political jurisdictions, when some may opt out and others not.
HB 1039 NeutralBig Canoe Water and Sewer Authority Act; enact Rick Jasperse
5/8/2018 Veto V16 Intragovernmental Coordination State and Local Governmental Operations -
Local Legislation Sewer/Septage Water Quality Water Quantity
HR 0362 NeutralJoint Study Committee on Stream Buffers Lynn Smith
1/8/2018 Senate Recommitted Special Rules Natural Resources and the Environment -
2017/02/24 - Report 2017/03/06 - Report Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
Water Quality
This legislation creates the Joint Study Committee on Stream Buffers in Georgia. An identical resolution, SR 152, passed the House and Senate during the 2017 legislative session.
HR 0513 NeutralHouse Study Committee on Coal Ash William Werkheiser
3/13/2017 House Second Readers Natural Resources & Environment --
Air Quality Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Water Quality
This legislation creates the House Study Committee on Coal Ash. 
HR 0514 NeutralHouse Study Committee on Water Desalination Keisha Waites
3/13/2017 House Second Readers Natural Resources & Environment --
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Water Quality Water Quantity
This legislation creates the House Study Committee on Water Desalination. 
HR 1540 NeutralUrging Congress to Invest in Infrastructure Vernon Jones
3/27/2018 House Passed/Adopted Special Rules --
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Economic Development General County Government Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
Procurement Public Works Transit Transportation Transportation Funding
Water Quality Water Quantity
This resolution states support for the infrastructure plan presented by the President of the United States and urges Congress to take action on said plan. 
SB 0165 EvaluatingSolid Waste Management - Coal Ash (Liability) William Ligon
2/15/2017 Senate Read and Referred -Natural Resources and the Environment -
2017/02/17-Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Solid Waste Water Quality
This legislation imposes liability, in the event of a release, on any producer of coal ash who disposes of such coal ash in Georgia.
SB 0191 NeutralDesignating the Shoal Bass as the State Riverine Sport Fish Rick Jeffares
3/27/2018 House Postponed Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Natural Resources and the Environment -
2017/03/06 - Report Eminent Domain/Condemnation Kathleen Bowen Land Use/Zoning Nat. Res. & the Environment
Water Quality
This legislation designates the shoal bass as the official Georgia state native riverine sport fish.
SB 0267 NeutralHapeville Water and Sewer Authority; repeal an Act creating Nan Orrock
7/1/2017 Effective Date Intragovernmental Coordination State and Local Governmental Operations -
General County Government Local Legislation Nat. Res. & the Environment Sewer/Septage Utilities
Water Quality Water Quantity
SB 0374 EvaluatingCommunity Association Transparency and Protection Act Donzella James
1/31/2018 Senate Read and Referred -Judiciary -
Clerk of Court Code Enforcement General County Government Land Use/Zoning Nat. Res. & the Environment
Open Records/Meetings Act Public Safety and Courts Public Works Todd Edwards Water Quality
This legislation, mirroring HB 748, significantly revises state law on residential property associations (condominium, cooperative and homeowners') and the responsibilities of both developers and residents.  Among provisions, the bill stipulates turnover and transition requirements; requires developers to establish a two-year operating budget prior to turnover/transition which includes reserve accounts for capital expenditures and deferred maintenance; requires developers to post performance and maintenance bonds; and spells out civil penalties for violations of the Act.  For the proponents' summary of the bill, please click here:   
SB 0425 NeutralLand Surveyors - Define Practice Steve Gooch
5/7/2018 Act 417 Regulated Industries Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2018/03/16 Report Code Enforcement Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Health and Human Services
Land Use/Zoning Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment Procurement Public Safety and Courts
Public Works Roads Stormwater Todd Edwards Utilities
Water Quality Water Quantity
This legislation removes the requirement that land surveyors receive at least five hours of course study in hydrology. The bill raises the required semester hours of course study, or the equivalent, in surveying subjects approved by the board from 15 to 18 hours. Moreover, HB 833 grandfathers in those who have already received credit in hydrology coursework so that they may sit for the board approved examination for licensure. In addition, HB 833 adds surveyors to the list of professionals subject to a misdemeanor for practicing as a licensed surveyor if that person has not completed the licensing requirements.
SB 0451 NeutralAgriculture Water Metering Larry Walker
5/8/2018 Act 483 Natural Resources and Environment Agriculture and Consumer Affairs -
Agriculture Farm Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Water Quality
This legislation addresses agriculture irrigation that transfers the ag metering program from the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. The bill also includes provisions related to the installation and monitoring of irrigation meters.
SR 0152 NeutralJoint Study Committee on Stream Buffers Frank Ginn
3/16/2017 House Passed/Adopted Natural Resources & Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2017/02/03-Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/10 - Report 2017/03/17 - Report Kathleen Bowen
Nat. Res. & the Environment Water Quality
This legislation creates a Joint Study Committee on Stream Buffers in Georgia.
SR 0224 SupportJoint Study Committee on Stormwater Management Fees Frank Ginn
3/16/2017 House Passed/Adopted Natural Resources & Environment Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2017/02/17-Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/10 - Report 2017/03/17 - Report Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance Stormwater Water Quality
Water Quantity

This legislation creates the Joint Study Committee on Stormwater Management Fees. Local governments would have representation on the study committee that would be tasked with reviewing the existing data and current practices relating to storm-water management fees.
SR 0845 NeutralExpressing Opposition to Oil Exploration and Drilling Off GA Coast Lester Jackson
2/21/2018 Senate Read and Referred -Natural Resources and the Environment -
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Economic Development Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Tourism
Water Quality
This resolution voices opposition to oil exploration and drilling activities off the Georgia coast. 
SR 1170 NeutralStudy Committee - Are Local Fees Going Toward Intended Purposes? Jack Hill
3/29/2018 Senate Read and Adopted ---
911 Alcohol/Tobacco Animal Control Broadband Business and Occupation Tax
Code Enforcement Econ. Dev. & Transportation EMS/Ambulance Fire Services Fireworks
Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Franchise Fees General County Government Health and Human Services Impact Fees
Land Use/Zoning Nat. Res. & the Environment Open Records/Meetings Act Probate Court Public Safety and Courts
Revenue & Finance Roads Sewer/Septage Sheriff Solid Waste
State Court Superior Court Tax Commissioner Todd Edwards Traffic Enforcement
Water Quality
Following much discussion over the past several years regarding the redirection of state-collected fees from their intended purposes, this Senate study committee (consisting of 5 senators) will examine whether or not local government fees are fairly and equitably imposed and whether the monies collected from them are being appropriately used and directed for the purpose(s) for which they are intended.  Examples of fees cited by this resolution include: storm water management fees, fire service fees, and traffic add-on fees.            
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.



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