The second half of the Georgia General Assembly’s legislative session began on January 13. It’s been a busy session and crossover day, the day when bills need to be sent to the second chamber, is rapidly approaching on March 12. For reference, bills that are not sent over by crossover day will not be considered for the year. Here are some of the highlights on bills that you might have missed.
House Resolution 843 – Georgia House Resolution against the Green New Deal. HR 843 is a mostly symbolic measure that, if passed, would indicate the state’s opposition to the Green New Deal introduced in Congress. This is important, however, as it would make clear to the country and the world that Georgia is not a state that values environmental priorities and, in fact, is against taking action against catastrophic problems like climate change. This could have enormous impacts on our national legislators and negatively influence our economy, similar to how the bathroom bill has hurt North Carolina. Read more about it here.
Status:
HR 843 is currently in the second reading stage.
GCV opposes HR 843. Add your voice to the opposition. Go here and show your opposition!
House Bill 545 – Changing Georgia’s long-standing Right to Farm Act in favor of corporate agriculture. HB 545 would restrict landowners from filing nuisance complaints to agricultural operations if the operation has been in place for two years. This means that any new agricultural operations could move in, stay for two years and then begin to cause problems without worrying about any backlash from their neighbors.
Status:
HB 545 has currently been tabled in the Senate. However it may be revived in the future and further action must be taken to let legislators know that this bill should not be in Georgia’s future.
GCV opposes HB 545. Take action by letting your legislators know that we can’t allow this to happen. Go to https://www.protectgeorgia.org/rural-property.html#/194/ and add your voice.
Senate Resolution 88 – Opposition towards offshore drilling. SR 88 states Georgia’s opposition towards offshore drilling and the potential dangers it could bring. Like HR 843, SR 88 is nonbinding; however, adopting it would indicate to drilling companies that attempts to place offshore drilling operations in Georgia will face political opposition.
Status:
SR 88 is currently in committee.
GCV supports SB 88. Take some time and let your legislators know that we need to stand against offshore drilling. Go to http://www.onehundredmiles.org/passsr88/#/180/ and add your voice.
Senate Bill 123 – Raising fees on dumping coal ash from $1 per ton to $2.50 a ton, the equivalent fee for everyday waste. SB 123 would help address the problem with coal ash, as well as importation of coal ash from other states.
Status:
SB 123 is currently in the opposite chamber’s second hearing.
GCV supports SB 123. Take action by letting your legislators know that we need to stop coal ash. Go to https://www.protectgeorgia.org/take-action.html#/124 and add your voice.
Senate Bill 280 – SB 280 would ban the distribution of single-use plastic bags with a few exemptions. This would reduce the waste and pollution that comes with plastic bags, as well as reduce overall plastic pollution in Georgia’s urban areas and wildernesses. Many retailers are already taking the initiative to phase out plastic bags.
Status:
A Senate hearing has been held with the Economic Development and Tourism committee. Committee Chair Frank Ginn must hold a proper hearing and a vote to ensure that SB 280 passes. Take action and let legislators know that SB 280 is a necessary step to protecting our environment.
GCV supports SB 280. Please head here and add your voice!
It’s important for voters to let legislators know how we feel about bills. Please contact your representative or senator and tell them to vote for policies that will protect people and our environment. We can change Georgia together!