Georgia General Assembly · Full text

HR 1640: Reheis, Harold Franklin; condolences

Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action March 6, 2026 · Passed

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House Resolution 1640

By: Representatives Smith of the 70th, Corbett of the 174th, Smith of the 138th, DeLoach of the 167th, Greene of the 154th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the life and legacy of Harold Franklin Reheis; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the members of this body join family and friends throughout Georgia in mourning the passing of Harold Franklin Reheis at the age of 81, former environmental protection division director; an advocate for clean air, land, and water; and pivotal leader in bettering the State of Georgia's environment; and

WHEREAS, born in 1944 and graduating from high school at Warner Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Mr. Reheis went on to graduate college from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Florida with degrees in civil-sanitary engineering and environmental engineering; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Reheis devoted his professional life to protecting Georgia's natural resources over a distinguished career spanning more than 60 years, serving with the United States Geological Survey; with Jordan, Jones and Goulding; as director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; and with Joe Tanner & Associates; and

WHEREAS, at the start of Mr. Reheis' career, most of Georgia's rivers were grossly polluted, the air in metropolitan Atlanta had harmful amounts of carbon monoxide and ozone, and garbage was disposed of or burned in open dumps throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Reheis helped establish and implement programs to address these serious issues, passing the Georgia Hazardous Site Response Act and creating the programs to remediate over 100 hazardous sites in Georgia; and

WHEREAS, respected for his leadership in shaping and enforcing environmental laws, Mr. Reheis helped position Georgia as a model for other states, especially through his expertise in water resources management, strengthening both the state's environment and its economy; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Reheis was widely acclaimed for his leadership in working with the governor and Georgia General Assembly to maintain "One-Stop" permitting of environmental laws and for diplomatically enforcing them in ways that enabled Georgia to effectively issue permits for companies wanting to move to and grow in the state.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body honor the life and legacy of Harold Franklin Reheis and recognize his extraordinary contributions to the protection and conservation of Georgia's natural resources.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of Harold Franklin Reheis.