Georgia CommonsHB 1383: Tallapoosa River Basin; daily emission limitations for toluene from stationary sources; provide
Last action February 20, 2026 · House Second Readers
A Georgia House bill would require the Board of Natural Resources to set daily limits on toluene emissions from stationary sources in the Tallapoosa River Basin by the end of 2026.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
Georgia's air quality law (O.C.G.A. Title 12, Chapter 9) currently does not set a specific daily limit on how much toluene, an industrial chemical, can be released into the air by stationary sources such as factories or plants within the Tallapoosa River Basin. This bill adds a new Code section, O.C.G.A. § 12-9-26, that directs the Board of Natural Resources to establish those daily emission limitations. The bill sets a deadline of December 31, 2026 for the board to act. It does not specify what the limits should be, leaving that decision to the board. The bill also repeals any existing laws that conflict with this new requirement.
What the bill does
- Adds a new Code section, O.C.G.A. § 12-9-26, requiring the Board of Natural Resources to set daily toluene emission limits.
- Limits the new emission rule to stationary sources located within the Tallapoosa River Basin.
- Sets a deadline of December 31, 2026 for the board to establish these limits.
- Repeals any existing state laws that conflict with the new requirement.
Who it affects
The Board of Natural Resources, which must write the new emission rule, and industrial or other stationary facilities operating within the Tallapoosa River Basin that release toluene into the air. Residents and businesses near those facilities may also be affected by any resulting air quality changes.
Why it matters
Facilities in the Tallapoosa River Basin that emit toluene, a chemical linked to air quality concerns, would face a specific daily limit for the first time once the board finalizes the rule, potentially requiring changes to their operations or pollution controls.
Key provisions
- Section 1 adds new Code section O.C.G.A. § 12-9-26 to Georgia's air quality law under Title 12, Chapter 9.
- The new section directs the Board of Natural Resources to establish daily emission limitations for toluene from stationary sources in the Tallapoosa River Basin.
- The board must complete this action no later than December 31, 2026.
- Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws but does not specify further procedural or funding details.
From the bill
“No later than December 31, 2026, the Board of Natural Resources shall establish daily emission limitations for toluene from stationary sources located within the Tallapoosa River Basin.”
Status timeline
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Tyler Smith (R, HD-018)
Topics
- air quality
- environmental regulation
- Tallapoosa River Basin
- industrial pollution