Legislation Assigned to the Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee (22)

Date of Last Recorded Action: 4/25/2024

HB 0093 NeutralSolid Waste Management - Notification Requirements for Coal Ash Pond Dewatering Jeff Jones
6/20/2020 Senate - Senate Read Second Time Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2019/01/31 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2020/02/21 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
Water Quality
The bill requires written notice be required to the local governing authority no later than three days prior to commencing the dewatering of coal combustion residual surface impoundments (coal ash ponds) has begun.

"Dewatering" is a task in the process of closing coal ash ponds.
HB 0201 SupportRules and Regulations for Live-Aboard Vessels Don Hogan
1/1/2020 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2019/02/15 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation authorizes the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to create rules and regulations to addresses live-aboard vessels including where they can be anchored and how sewage material can be disposed within estuarine areas of the state. 
HB 0223 NeutralNotification Exemptions for Farms re: Pesticides and Air Emissions Robert Dickey
7/1/2019 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2019/02/15 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation (similar to existing federal law) grants exemptions to farms relating to emergency notifications to GA EPD in regards to the application of pesticides as well as a notification exemption for air emissions from animal waste. 
HB 0382 SupportGA Outdoor Stewardship Act - Clean Up Bill Jon Burns
7/1/2019 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2019/02/22 Report 2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/15 Report 2019/03/29 Report
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation is a clean-up bill to last year's Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act (HB 332). Language is included that expands the definition of who is eligible to receive grant and loan funds from the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund to now include "constituted recreation authorities". Local governments were already included as an eligible recipient. 
HB 0445 NeutralShore Protection Don Hogan
5/3/2019 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2019/03/01 Report 2019/03/22 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation changes the permitting requirements and definitions related to the Shore Protection Act. 

This bill also makes changes to the Shore Protection Committee: "Any permit for minor activity may be issued by the DNR Commissioner based on the recommendations of staff, past committee actions, and the results of public comments. The commissioner may refer the application to the committee to decide on permits for minor activities that, in his or her judgment, should receive broader consideration. A committee member may choose to have the full committee decide on permit applications for minor activities that the member feels should receive broader consideration."
HB 0458 NeutralProhibition of Class B Fire Fighting Foam Joseph Gullett
7/1/2019 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2019/03/08 Report 2019/03/22 Report 2019/03/29 Report Debra Nesbit Fire Services
Public Safety and Courts
HB 458 prohibits the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Class B firefighting foam during training, unless it is used at a training facility capable of preventing the release of the foam into the environment. The bill does not restrict the use of foam containing PFAS for fire-fighting operations. 
HB 0833 NeutralAnchoring In Estuarine Areas Ron Stephens
7/1/2020 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation authorizes the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to create rules and regulations to addresses vessels anchoring within estuarine areas of the state. 
HB 0929 NeutralCoal Ash Pond Regulations Vance Smith
6/17/2020 Senate - Senate Withdrawn & Recommitted Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2020/02/21 Report 2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
Solid Waste
This legislation codifies state and federal rules regulating coal combustion residual surface impoundments (coal ash ponds). Post-closure care will take place for a minimum of 30 years that will include ground-water monitoring. In addition, EPD would be required to conduct an inspection of the coal ash pond at least annually during the closure period and at least once every five years following the completion of the closure.
HB 1057 SupportRegulation of Soil Amendments - Increasing County Authority Trey Rhodes
1/1/2021 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/13 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
The Department of Agriculture has rules in place to regulate soil amendments (view here). This legislation would allow counties or municipalities to further regulate the application of soil amendments derived from industrial by-products. Local governments would be allowed to adopt zoning ordinances including the adoption of buffers and setbacks. The Department of Agriculture's rules would be the minimum standard.   
SB 0072 NeutralOmnibus Hunting Bill (Air Guns, Feral Hogs & Hunting Seasons) Tyler Harper
7/1/2019 Effective Date Game, Fish, and Parks Natural Resources and the Environment -
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This bill legalizes air gun hunting for big game during certain seasons, grants the Georgia Department of Natural Resources the authority to make decisions on hunting seasons and cleans up language regarding baiting of feral hogs.
SB 0123 SupportSolid Waste: Landfills, Host Fee & Trust Funds William Ligon
6/29/2020 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2019/02/22 Report 2020/02/07 2020/02/28 Report 2020/06/19 Report Kathleen Bowen
Nat. Res. & the Environment
This bill includes language from SB 123, HB 926 and SB 356. This omnibus solid waste related bill does the following:
  • Increases the minimum host fee applied to coal ash from $1 to $2.50 per ton. Coal ash would now be charged the same host fee per ton as regular household waste. This increase (and host fees) only applies to a municipal solid waste disposal facility that is owned by a private entity. 
  • Alters the restrictions on how counties can spend the host fees from 50% to 20%. HB 792, passed during the 2018 Session, required that 50% of the host fees received be spent for certain purposes.
  • Halts the reduction in the fees assessed for the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund (HWTF) and the Solid Waste Trust Fund (SWTF), which were set to reduce on July 1, 2020. In addition, the sunset on the collection of the fees is extended until 2025.
  • Allows an existing landfill (in McIntosh County) to expand within two miles of military air space used as bombing ranges. Current law prohibits such expansion.
SB 0297 EvaluatingCoal Ash Storage Requirements Jennifer Jordan
1/15/2020 Senate Read and Referred -Natural Resources and the Environment -
2020/01/17 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation would require coal combustion residual (coal ash) to be stored in a solid waste facility that had a liner and leachate collection system that meets design standards required for new municipal solid waste landfills. In effect, coal ash residuals would be treated the same as municipal solid waste. This legislation is mainly in response to Georgia Power's plans to close their coal ash ponds - details found here. Similar legislation, HB 756 has been introcued in the House.
SB 0319 NeutralRequirements for Building Below Category II Dams Frank Ginn
2/26/2020 House Second Readers Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2020/01/31 2020/02/07 2020/02/28 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation does the following:
  • Adds a new term "inundation zone”. Inundation zone = any area downstream of a dam that would be affected by flooding from releases from a dam's reservoir in the event of a failure, breach, or uncontrolled release of water, and is generally much larger than the area for a normal river or stream flood event.
  • Prohibits the building of inhabitable structures in the inundation zone of a Category II dam without prior certification from an engineer of record.
  • Allows for an engineer of record to perform and certify a breach analysis where inhabitable structures already exist in the inundation zone of a Category II dam.
  • Requires a certified breach analysis to be filed with the Superior Court, the local government where the inundation zone is located, and the Safe Dams division of EPD.
  • Authorizes the Department of Community Affairs to develop building standards for inhabitable structures in the inundation zone of a Category II dam.
SB 0356 SupportLandfill Expansion Allowed Near Military Bombing Ranges William Ligon
2/24/2020 House Second Readers Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Solid Waste
This legislation would allow an existing landfill (in McIntosh County) to expand within two miles of military air space used as bombing ranges. Current law prohibits such expansion. 
SB 0384 SupportSolid Waste Facility - Restrictions If Close to Satilla River William Ligon
6/24/2020 House - House Committee Favorably Reported Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2020/02/21 Report 2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/13 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
Solid Waste
This legislation would prevent a permit or permit modification from being issued for a solid waste facility or coal combustion residual landfill if it was located within three miles of a blackwater river. Legislation defines "blackwater river" as one being wholly contained within the borders of this state and originating on the coastal plain, and which flows directly into the ocean. The Satilla River is the targeted river. This bill would not apply to any municipal solid waste disposal facility for which a permit was issued and was operating during or prior to 2019.
SB 0426 NeutralReporting Requirement For Any Spill or Release of Ethylene Oxide Brian Strickland
1/1/2021 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2020/03/06 Report 2020/03/13 Report 2020/06/19 Report Air Quality Kathleen Bowen
Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation requires any spill or release of ethylene oxide (regardless of the amount) be reported to the Georgia Environmental Protection (EPD) within 24 hours of discovering the release. This information must also be placed on EPD's website.
SB 0445 SupportExtending Local Authority for Land Disturbance Permitting John Kennedy
7/29/2020 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
2020/02/28 Report 2020/03/13 Report 2020/06/19 Report Code Enforcement Kathleen Bowen
Land Use/Zoning Nat. Res. & the Environment Water Quality
This legislation would extend authority for permitting land disturbance activities to water and sewer authorities who are also responsible for stormwater management. An intergovernmental agreement with the governing authority of a county or municipality would be required. 
SB 0461 SupportRegulation of Soil Amendments - Increasing County Authority Lee Anderson
2/28/2020 Senate Read and Referred -Natural Resources and the Environment -
2020/02/28 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
The Deptartment of Agriculture has rules in place to regulate soil amendments (view here). This legislation would allow counties or municipalities to further regulate the application of soil amendments derived from industrial by-products. The Dept of Agriculture's rules would be the minimum standard.  
SB 0474 NeutralGA DNR Can Operate GA Welcome Centers Tyler Harper
7/1/2020 Effective Date Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation would allow the Department of Natural Resources to construct, operate, maintain and sell items at Georgia welcome centers. Currently it is the responsibility of the Department of Economic Development in concurrence of the Department of Transportation.
SR 0088 NeutralOffshore Drilling and Seismic Testing Lester Jackson
2/6/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Natural Resources and the Environment -
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This resolution expresses support of Georgia's coastal tourism and fisheries and opposes seismic testing and oil and gas drilling activities off of Georgia's coast. 
SR 0272 NeutralRemoval of Coal Ash at the McDonough-Atkinson Power Plan Jennifer Jordan
3/1/2019 Senate Read and Referred -Natural Resources and the Environment -
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This resolution urges Georgia Power to remove the unlined coal ash pile at the McDonough-Atkinson Power Plant and place the coal ash in a lined landfil.
SR 0690 NeutralGeorgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund - Encourage Use for Coastal Georgia Greenway William Ligon
3/3/2020 House Second Readers Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
Kathleen Bowen Revenue & Finance Transportation Funding
This resolution encourages the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund and other state agencies to support the development and funding of a pedestrian/bicycle path from St. Mary's to Savannah.
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.



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