House Bill 644 By: Representatives Townsend of the 179th, Stephens of the 164th, Buckner of the 137th, Taylor of the 173rd, Powell of the 33rd, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 12-2-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Environmental Protection Division, Environmental Advisory Council, duties of council and its members and director, appeal procedures generally, permit applications, and inspections, so as to authorize the director of the Environmental Protection Division to investigate and consider out-of-state regulatory history when processing applications for certain permits; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Code Section 12-2-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Environmental Protection Division, Environmental Advisory Council, duties of council and its members and director, appeal procedures generally, permit applications, and inspections, is amended by adding a new subparagraph to paragraph (1) of subsection (c) to read as follows: "(C) The director may deny an application for any permit issued pursuant to Chapter 4, 5, 7, or 9 of this title if when processing the application the director determines that the applicant's regulatory history, including, but not limited to, such applicant's history of violations of environmental laws or regulations and any criminal or civil penalties incurred by such applicant in any other state, warrant denial of the permit." SECTION 2. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.