SR610: SR610 Senate Study Committee on Improving and Increasing Recycling; create

Georgia's growing population and economy are putting more pressure on landfills and solid waste systems, while recyclable materials like glass, aluminum, plastics, paper, and tires could serve as valuable supplies for Georgia manufacturers. This resolution creates the Senate Study Committee on Improving and Increasing Recycling to look into these issues. The committee would have five Senate members appointed by the President of the Senate, who also names a chairperson. It would study current recycling collection and processing capacity, barriers to reducing contamination, opportunities to attract recycling-based manufacturing, the effectiveness of existing state programs run by the Environmental Protection Division, and best practices from other states. Members get standard legislative expense allowances, funded through the Senate's budget. The committee must file any report and recommendations before it is abolished, which happens either when it submits a final report or on December 1, 2026, whichever comes first.

• Creates the Senate Study Committee on Improving and Increasing Recycling, made up of five Senate members appointed by the President of the Senate.
• Directs the committee to study recycling collection, processing, and end-market capacity for commodities like glass, aluminum, plastics, paper, and tires.
• Authorizes the committee to recommend legislation or administrative changes to support a market-based recycling system in Georgia.
• Sets legislative expense allowances for committee members under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, funded through money appropriated to the Senate.
• Requires the committee to file an approved report with the Secretary of the Senate before it is abolished.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2026, or earlier if it submits its final report sooner.

The bill directly affects the five appointed Georgia Senators serving on the committee, the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources, and Georgia's recycling and manufacturing industries that rely on recovered materials like glass, aluminum, plastics, and tires.

The committee's findings could shape future Georgia legislation on recycling infrastructure, contamination reduction, and in-state manufacturing that uses recycled materials. For now, the resolution only sets up a study process rather than changing any existing recycling law or funding.

• Paragraph (1) creates the Senate Study Committee on Improving and Increasing Recycling.
• Paragraph (2) sets committee membership at five Senators appointed by the President of the Senate, who names a chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) lists specific topics the committee must consider, including end-market capacity, contamination barriers, data tracking, infrastructure needs, and public education strategies.
• Paragraph (5) establishes expense allowances for legislative, state official, and non-state-employee committee members, capped at five days unless extended.
• Paragraph (6) requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Secretary of the Senate before abolishment.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee upon filing its final report or on December 1, 2026, whichever happens first.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
2. 2026-03-31Senate Third Read (Senate)
3. 2026-02-24Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
4. 2026-02-20Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
5. 2026-01-28Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
6. 2026-01-27Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)Primary sponsor
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   48 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 3 absent)

   Consent Calendar For Senate Study Committees: Senate Vote #875

• recycling
• waste management
• environmental policy
• economic development
• manufacturing