--- title: SR 835. Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr835 cite_as: SR 835, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr835 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr835.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr835/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73513 date: 2026-02-24 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr834.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr836.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr835.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 835 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-02-24 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Frank Ginn - Drew Echols - Jason Anavitarte - Chuck Hufstetler - Donzella James - Ben Watson - David Lucas text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR835/2025 upstream_id: 2122700 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Georgia Environmental Finance Authority - water infrastructure - energy efficiency programs - state agency recognition --- # SR 835. Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; commend ## Text Senate Resolution 835 By: Senators Ginn of the 47th, Echols of the 49th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Hufstetler of the 52nd, James of the 28th and others A RESOLUTION Commending and congratulating the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority on the occasion of its 40th anniversary; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) was established in 1986 to provide innovative financing solutions for environmental infrastructure projects across the state; and WHEREAS, for 40 years, GEFA has played a vital role in improving Georgia's energy, land, and water resources while supporting economic growth, public health, and community development; and WHEREAS, GEFA has administered critical state and federal financing programs, including water and wastewater infrastructure loans, energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, and land conservation efforts that benefit communities in every region of Georgia; and WHEREAS, through its stewardship of the Georgia Fund, Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and other financing mechanisms, GEFA has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure projects that improve water quality, protect public health, and enhance quality of life for Georgians; and WHEREAS, the WaterFirst Program has recognized local governments demonstrating exemplary water resource management practices that protect Georgia's water resources; and WHEREAS, through its management of the State Energy Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, and Energy performance contracting, GEFA has supported energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resiliency projects that reduce energy use and stimulate sustainable economic development; and WHEREAS, GEFA's Fuel Storage Tank Program has provided a cleaner and healthier environment for all Georgians through the management and monitoring of fuel storage tanks at state facilities; and WHEREAS, in its role as the lead agency for Emergency Support Function 12 Annex, GEFA has promoted energy security planning and coordinated emergency response related to energy and fuel during state-wide emergencies; and WHEREAS, GEFA's commitment to serving rural and underserved communities has strengthened local governments' ability to attract economic development and plan for long-term sustainability; and WHEREAS, the success of GEFA reflects the dedication and professionalism of its board members, executive leadership, and staff, past and present, whose work has advanced Georgia's environmental and economic priorities; and WHEREAS, the 40th anniversary of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority provides an appropriate opportunity to recognize its enduring contributions to the State of Georgia and its citizens. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend and congratulate the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority on its 40th anniversary and express sincere appreciation for its four decades of service to the people of Georgia. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority. ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Senate resolution honors the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) on its 40th anniversary, recognizing its role financing water, energy, and land infrastructure projects across the state. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate marking the 40th anniversary of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), which was created in 1986 to finance environmental infrastructure projects statewide. The resolution recounts GEFA's history, including its management of water and wastewater loan programs, energy efficiency initiatives, land conservation efforts, and its role coordinating energy emergency response during statewide emergencies. The resolution does not change any Georgia law, create new programs, or provide funding. It simply expresses the Senate's appreciation for GEFA's work over four decades and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to GEFA for its records. ### What it does - Formally commends and congratulates GEFA on the occasion of its 40th anniversary, expressing the Senate's appreciation for its work. - Recites GEFA's history and programs, including water and wastewater infrastructure loans, energy efficiency programs, and land conservation efforts. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to GEFA. - Does not create, fund, or alter any state program, agency, or law. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, its board members, executive leadership, and staff. It also references local governments, rural communities, and Georgians who benefit from GEFA's water, energy, and land financing programs, though it creates no new obligations for them. ### Why it matters The resolution has no legal or financial effect; it does not fund programs or change how GEFA operates. Its significance is symbolic, providing official recognition from the Georgia Senate of an agency that has financed billions of dollars in water, energy, and land infrastructure projects over 40 years. ### Key provisions - The resolution's whereas clauses describe GEFA's creation in 1986 and its role administering the Georgia Fund, Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. - It highlights the WaterFirst Program, which recognizes local governments with strong water resource management practices. - It notes GEFA's management of the State Energy Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, and Energy performance contracting for efficiency and resiliency projects. - It references GEFA's Fuel Storage Tank Program and its lead role in Emergency Support Function 12 Annex for energy-related emergency response. - The resolved clauses commend GEFA and direct the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to the agency. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-02-24) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-02-24) - Sponsors: Frank Ginn, Drew Echols, Jason Anavitarte, Chuck Hufstetler, Donzella James, Ben Watson, David Lucas - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73513 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr835.md?full=1