Rather than file an annual report of a county's collection and expenditure of 9-1-1 surcharges, this bill would allow counties to document the amount of funds collected and spent. Counties would be required to certify in their audit that the funds were spent in compliance with the 9-1-1 law.

SB 157 makes local Solid Waste Management Plans (SWMP) updates optional for counties and cities and removes the requirement of having to complete an annual, duplicative solid waste report. Counties without zoning and land use ordinances may, however, wish to complete these plans and adopt them by local ordinance as the plans will maintain their ability to effectively govern the sitting of solid waste facilities within the community.

Amendments to the bill now require public notice any time a local SWMP is updated and require both public and private landfills to annually report to DCA the amount of waste disposed, the landfill's remaining capacity, recycling and composting activities, and any other information as may be required by DCA.

For ACCG's SB 157 talking points, please click here.     

This bill revises procedures for local governments to come into compliance with EPD water/wastewater pollution rules; making it clear that the EPD Director may notify the violator in writing of the opportunity to perform voluntary remedial action via consent order and authorizing the Director to require a bond or letter of credit to ensure compliance instead of a traditional fine. If a consent order to comply is violated, the local government may have its bond or letter of credit forfeited with that money being deposited into a new fund at the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to help pay for these compliance projects.