HR946: HR946 State of Georgia; economic leadership and recognizing the importance of transparent, informed decision making; commend

This resolution does not change Georgia law. It is a statement from the House of Representatives praising Georgia's standing as the nation's top state to do business for 11 consecutive years, crediting careful management of natural, human, and infrastructure resources for that success. The resolution highlights concerns about future energy and water demand, especially from high-tech data centers being proposed around the state, which can use large amounts of electricity and water and place strain on local utilities. It says lawmakers and the public should get accurate, timely information about the economic, employment, land use, and utility impacts of such projects so officials can make informed decisions. It closes by directing the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally commends the State of Georgia for being ranked the top state for business for 11 consecutive years.
• States a position that Georgia should balance economic growth with responsible stewardship of water, energy, and infrastructure resources.
• Calls attention to the growing number of data centers proposed across the state and their heavy water and electricity use.
• Expresses that timely, accurate information on projects' economic, fiscal, land use, and utility impacts should be shared with officials and the public.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies available to the public and press.

The resolution speaks broadly to the State of Georgia, its legislators, and local governments, and specifically references data center developers, local utilities, and communities near high resource demand facilities such as data centers.

Because it is a resolution rather than a bill, it creates no new legal requirements or penalties. Its practical effect is to put on record the House's view that information about large projects like data centers should be shared more transparently with officials and residents.

• The whereas clauses cite Georgia's 11 consecutive years as the top-ranked state for business.
• The whereas clauses identify data centers' high water and electricity use as a growing concern for local utilities and communities.
• The resolved clause commends the state for economic leadership and calls for balancing growth with resource stewardship.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-04-02House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-04-02House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-04-02House Hopper (House)

• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)Primary sponsor
• Mary Oliver (D, HD-084)

• economic development
• data centers
• water resources
• energy policy
• government transparency