HR1640: HR1640 Reheis, Harold Franklin; condolences

This resolution is a formal tribute from the Georgia House of Representatives marking the passing of Harold Franklin Reheis, who spent more than 60 years working on environmental protection in Georgia, including as director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The resolution recounts his career, including his role in passing the Georgia Hazardous Site Response Act and leading cleanup programs for more than 100 hazardous sites, as well as his work maintaining 'One-Stop' environmental permitting with the governor and General Assembly. It does not change any Georgia law. It formally recognizes his contributions to conserving Georgia's natural resources and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to his family.

• Formally honors the life and legacy of Harold Franklin Reheis, a former director of Georgia's Environmental Protection Division.
• Recognizes his role in passing the Georgia Hazardous Site Response Act and remediating over 100 hazardous sites in Georgia.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Reheis's family.
• Creates no new law, funding, or penalty; it is a ceremonial statement by the House of Representatives.

This resolution directly concerns the family of Harold Franklin Reheis and does not impose obligations on the public. It reflects on his impact on Georgia's environmental agencies, natural resources management, and businesses that relied on the environmental permitting system he helped run.

The resolution has no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians. Its significance is symbolic: it is the House's official recognition of a public official's decades-long career shaping Georgia's environmental laws and permitting practices.

• The whereas clauses describe Reheis's education at Georgia Tech and the University of Florida and his career with the U.S. Geological Survey and Georgia's Environmental Protection Division.
• The resolution credits him with helping pass the Georgia Hazardous Site Response Act and creating programs to clean up more than 100 hazardous sites.
• The resolved clause formally honors his legacy and recognizes his contributions to protecting Georgia's natural resources.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to provide a copy of the resolution to his family.

1. 2026-03-06House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-03-06House Hopper (House)
3. 2026-03-06House First Readers (House)

• Lynn Smith (R, HD-070)Primary sponsor
• John Corbett (R, HD-174)
• Vance Smith (R, HD-138)
• Buddy DeLoach (R, HD-167)
• Gerald Greene (R, HD-154)
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)

• environmental protection
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources
• legislative tribute
• hazardous site cleanup