Legislation Assigned to the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee (8)

Date of Last Recorded Action: 5/7/2024

HB 0665 NeutralNotices for Abandoned Vessels Eddie Lumsden
3/9/2018 Senate Read Second Time Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
Kathleen Bowen Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment
If an abandoned vessel is determined to be stolen, the local law enforcemnt officers or agency should notify only the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The bill removes the Georgia Crime Information Center from being an agency requiring such notification.
HB 0785 NeutralSolid Waste Management: Converting Plastics to Fuel Randy Nix
7/1/2018 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Solid Waste
This legislation defines the practice of converting waste plastics into fuel and clarifies that these type of operations wouldn’t be considered a waste handling or waste disposal facility.
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 0885 NeutralBurn Ban - Revisions for Agriculture Use Tom McCall
7/1/2018 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2018/03/2 Report Agriculture Air Quality Farm Kathleen Bowen
Nat. Res. & the Environment Preemption Public Safety and Courts
This legislation allows for the burn ban to not apply to those who would like to burn vegetative material for ag purposes on land greater than 5 acres. 
HB 0975 OpposeSolid Waste Management: Coal Ash Disposal Robert Gasaway
2/22/2018 House Second Readers Natural Resources and Environment --
2018/02/23 Report Business and Occupation Tax Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons General County Government Kathleen Bowen
Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance Solid Waste
The legislation addresses the disposal of coal combustion residuals.  The bill removes the host fee for coal combustion residuals disposals but authorizes the county operated municipal solid waste disposal facility to charge a fee up to .25 cents per ton for the disposal of coal combustion residuals.  In addition, for privately owned municipal solid waste disposal facilities, a new state excise tax of $2.50 per ton is to be charged to the producer for the disposal of coal combustion residuals. 
SB 0385 NeutralChief Medical Examiner: Burial Authority Burt Jones
5/3/2018 Act 358 Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report 2018/03/2 Report 2018/03/23 Report Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance Solid Waste

During the House Rules meeting on 3.27.18, a substitute was offered that removes the private landfill host fee bill and in its place is a bill relating to the chief medical examiner and his/her authority to inter remains (bury) and disinter remains (remove a body from a grave).

The original intent of SB 385 increases the state’s minimum local solid waste cost reimbursement (host) fee on waste going into landfills owned by private entities.  The $1 minimum fee has been in existence since 1992.

Talking points advocating for the increase of private landfill host fees can be found here. Similar host fee language has been added to HB 792. 
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.
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.



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