HB 1133: Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; finance and perform certain duties in connection with projects related to facilitating solar installations on closed landfills; authorize

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Discussed in meetings (15)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

1. House Governmental Affairs Committee, February 11, 2026

   From 0:58:08 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1133 would authorize the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to provide low-interest financing to municipalities and counties for solar installations on closed landfills. The sponsor described the proposal as a way to direct some solar development away from farmland and said Georgia had 35 such landfills, with more expected. According to the sponsor, landfill installations cost more than installations on flat cropland, but could give local governments a long-term income source. The sponsor said the program would cover relatively few acres and cited similar projects in neighboring states. A committee member noted the sponsor’s past concerns about solar-panel disposal and moved for approval. The committee passed the bill by voice vote, with no opposition recorded. Later, the chair acknowledged overlooking a person signed up to speak in favor and offered an opportunity to speak, but no testimony followed.

2. House Rules Committee, February 17, 2026

   From 0:33:58 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would allow the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to issue low-interest loans to cities and counties for solar projects on publicly owned closed landfills, subject to future appropriations. The sponsor said this could keep some solar development off valuable farmland. Asked about the bill's committee history, the sponsor said it had been in two committees, and a committee member noted that it had first been sent to the wrong committee. No decision followed.

3. House floor session, March 4, 2026 (legislative day 27, PM, part 2)

   From 1:06:33 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1934

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1133 would authorize the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to make low-interest loans to local governments for solar installations on closed landfills, when funding becomes available. The sponsor said Georgia had 79 landfills, including 21 closed sites owned by local governments, with 30 more expected to close by 2045. The sponsor argued that these sites could generate local revenue and offer an alternative to using farmland, although landfill projects cost more to develop. The sponsor expected repayment within 10 years or less and said several nearby states instead provide grants. Asked how financing would work, the sponsor said local governments would apply, own the installations and repay loans from project revenue. Another member supported finding sites other than farmland. The House passed the bill 160–2.

4. House Rules Committee, March 4, 2026

   From 0:25:22 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1929

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed HB 1133 on the supplemental calendar after a motion and second, with no objection. Members did not discuss its substance.

5. Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee, March 17, 2026

   From 0:26:20 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1133 would authorize the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to offer low-interest loans to local governments for solar installations on closed landfills, providing an alternative to farmland. The sponsor said Georgia has 79 landfills, including 21 closed sites, and described the loans as a way to offset local monitoring costs and eventually generate income. The sponsor said funding for the loan program would need to be obtained the following year. Asked about property-line buffers, the sponsor said projects would require engineering studies but did not specify a setback. Another member asked whether panels could sit above buried waste without penetrating the landfill's protective cap. The sponsor said surface mounting was expected and that installations would need permits and should not jeopardize the landfill. The sponsor also said the Environmental Protection Division had no concerns if installations were done correctly. The committee approved the bill with seven votes in favor and no opposition voiced.

6. Senate Rules Committee, March 19, 2026

   From 0:27:51 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would let the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority offer low-interest loans to local governments for solar installations on closed landfills. The sponsor said this could protect farmland, use previously developed land and provide local revenue after loans were repaid. The sponsor also said it would not cost the state money. No substantive questions or scheduling decision followed.

7. Senate Rules Committee, March 23, 2026

   From 0:32:34 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair described HB 1133 as involving the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority and solar installations on closed landfills. No detailed presentation, questions or vote followed.

8. Senate Rules Committee, March 25, 2026

   From 0:48:01 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: A committee member selected HB 1133 for the calendar. No provisions were discussed. The committee unanimously approved the calendar package containing the bill.

9. Senate floor session, March 31, 2026 (legislative day 39, part 2)

   From 5:25:41 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Taken from Table)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The majority leader included the bill in a request to remove bills from the table. The clerk read its title as authorizing the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to finance and support solar installations on closed landfills. The chair explained that removing and retabling the bills would preserve their availability for Thursday. The Senate removed this bill from the table without objection, then tabled it again without substantive debate.

• Read aloud: House floor session, February 3, 2026 (legislative day 11), 0:24:24
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 4, 2026 (legislative day 12), 0:28:18
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 12, 2026 (legislative day 18), 0:59:23
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 6, 2026 (legislative day 28, part 1), 0:39:19
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 18, 2026 (legislative day 33), 0:32:43
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 19, 2026 (legislative day 34), 0:46:37

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