Georgia CommonsSearch bills
Words find bills whose text, title, or summary carries them; a bill number such as HB 340 opens that bill. Search matches the words of the bill: ask in the words the bill would use.
40 bills for “Conservation and natural resources”.
Rabon, Commissioner Walter; recognize
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia Senate resolution formally recognizes Walter Rabon, commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, for receiving the 2026 Conservation Trailblazer Award from the Dallas Safari Club.
… to conserving Georgia's natural resources, beginning his career in 1993 as a Conservation Ranger and rising through the ranks of the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement …
Executive director, staff, and members of the Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council; commend
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House resolution commends Rhonda Gordon, staff, and members of the Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council for their work in southwest Georgia.
… WHEREAS, the Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) has long served as a vital driver of community development, natural resource stewardship, and economic growth within …
Conservation and natural resources; fee for motor vehicle emissions inspections; revise provisions
Summary by Georgia Commons: A House committee substitute for HB 663 would raise the maximum fee Georgia can charge for motor vehicle emissions inspections from $25 to $35 and allow that cap to rise or fall each year with inflation.
The House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment offers the following substitute to HB 663: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 12-9 …
Conservation and natural resources; outdoor stewardship; eliminate reductions in appropriations
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 919 would remove the rules that automatically cut state funding to Georgia's Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund when sporting goods sales tax revenue drops, keeping the fund's 40 percent appropriation steady.
… Such funds shall be used to support the protection and conservation of land and shall be used to supplement, not supplant, department resources. <del>(c)(1) In the …
Conservation and natural resources; grants and special revenue disbursements; revise provisions
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 532 would let counties with large tracts of state-owned conservation land collect grants under two separate Georgia code sections at once, removing a current ban on double-dipping. The Governor vetoed the bill in May 2025.
… 20,000 or more acres of unimproved real estate owned by Department of Natural Resources, so as to revise provisions related to counties claiming such grant while also …
Termed and perpetual conservation easements; important tools for promoting conservation practices; express support
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House resolution would formally express the House's support for termed and perpetual conservation easements as tools to encourage voluntary land conservation on private property.
… agreed upon by the landowner—for the conservation of natural, agricultural, and historical resources on private land; and WHEREAS, conservation easements protect private property rights and enable landowners …
Income tax; donation of real property for conservation purposes; revise tax credits
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 1148 would increase Georgia's income tax credit for donating land or conservation easements, raise the yearly cap on those credits back to $30 million, and shift review of land appraisals from the State Properties Commission to the Department of Natural Resources.
… copy of a certification issued by the Department of Natural Resources that the donated property is suitable for conservation purposes and meets the following additional requirements, where applicable …
Turner, Howard "Sonny"; induction into the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts' Hall of Fame; commend
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House resolution congratulates Howard "Sonny" Turner of Walton County on his induction into the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts' Hall of Fame.
… deep, lifelong commitment to Georgia's conservation efforts, beginning with his attendance at the state's first ever Natural Resources Conservation Workshop in 1962 and his graduation from …
Conservation and natural resources; prescribed burning for silviculture purposes is exempt from certain burning notice and permit requirements; clarify
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House bill would rewrite state forestry law to spell out that local governments cannot use ordinances to block prescribed burning done for silviculture (forest management) purposes, and it defines those terms more precisely.
… Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to forest resources, is amended by revising subsection (d) of Code Section …
Georgia Wildlife Federation; honoring the accomplishments; commend
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House resolution commends the Georgia Wildlife Federation for 90 years of wildlife conservation work in the state, marking a ceremonial honor with no changes to law.
… natural resource conservation across Georgia-from early efforts to restore game species and support the establishment of Georgia's wildlife agency to continued leadership in statewide conservation planning …
Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund Act; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 454 creates the Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund, a new state fund and grant program to help nonprofits and state agencies buy or protect historically significant Georgia battlefields.
… term: (1) 'Conservation easement' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 44-10-2. (2) 'Department' means the Department of Natural Resources. (3) 'Fund …
Sport Fish Restoration Program; part of the American System of Conservation Funding; 75th anniversary; recognize
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House resolution commends the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program on its 75th anniversary, recognizing its role in funding fish and wildlife conservation nationwide.
… WHEREAS, more than a century ago, hunters and anglers were among the first conservationists to recognize that America's natural resources were in peril and could not sustain …
Georgia Wildlife Federation; honor
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Senate resolution honors the Georgia Wildlife Federation for 90 years of wildlife conservation work in Georgia, recognizing its role in habitat protection and outdoor education.
… natural resource conservation across Georgia—from early efforts to restore game species and support the establishment of Georgia's wildlife agency to continued leadership in statewide conservation planning …
Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation; increase
Summary by Georgia Commons: Senate Bill 43 would raise the acreage cap for Georgia's conservation use property tax break from 2,000 acres to 6,000 acres, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in November 2026.
… as such by the Department of Natural Resources, if the primary use of such property is its maintenance in its natural condition or controlling or abating pollution of …
Special license plates; support state parks and historic sites; establish
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 208 changes Georgia's free license plate rules for totally disabled veterans and creates several new specialty plates, including one supporting state parks and historic sites and another for black bass conservation.
… parks and historic sites division of the Department of Natural Resources; to establish a specialty license plate promoting conservation and enhancement of black bass populations; to provide for …
Revenue and taxation; increase maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 90 would double the maximum acreage that can qualify for Georgia's bona fide conservation use property tax break, from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres, if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in November 2026.
… as such by the Department of Natural Resources, if the primary use of such property is its maintenance in its natural condition or controlling or abating pollution of …
"Coordinated PFAS Remediation Act"; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons: Senate Bill 577 would give the state exclusive control over lawsuits seeking money for PFAS chemical contamination, taking that power away from Georgia counties and cities and centralizing settlement money through a state authority.
… Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conservation and natural resources, is amended by adding a new chapter to read as follows: <ins>"CHAPTER …
"Quality Basic Education Act"; grants for educational programs; provisions relative to the teacher recruitment and retention tax credit program; revise
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia Senate bill would expand the state's teacher recruitment and retention tax credit program to 1,200 teachers a year, lower the credit for future participants, and separately loosen the conservation land donation tax credit program.
… copy of a certification issued by the Department of Natural Resources that the donated property is suitable for conservation purposes and meets the following additional requirements, where applicable …
South River Watershed Alliance; recognize
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Senate resolution honors the South River Watershed Alliance on its 25th anniversary for its work protecting the South River, which flows through several metro Atlanta area counties.
… increased awareness, collective advocacy, stronger protection, and management of rivers as a valuable natural resource; and WHEREAS, as metro Atlanta booms with development, the South River continues to …
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; finance and perform certain duties for projects relating to natural gas facilities; authorize
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 51 would let the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority help finance, build, and regulate natural gas storage and distribution facilities, expanding its role beyond water, sewer, and solid waste projects.
… organization the primary purposes of which are the permanent protection and conservation of land and natural resources. <del>(10.2)(10.3)</del> 'Nonprofit corporation' means any corporation …
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; finance and perform certain duties in connection with projects relating to natural gas facilities; authorize
Summary by Georgia Commons: Senate Bill 13 expands the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority's powers to let it finance and manage natural gas distribution projects and the conversion of overhead power lines to underground lines.
… organization the primary purposes of which are the permanent protection and conservation of land and natural resources. <del>(10.2)(10.3)</del> 'Nonprofit corporation' means any corporation …
The importance of regulated trapping; commend
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House resolution formally recognizes regulated trapping as an important tool for wildlife conservation and management, without changing any state law or regulation.
… among participants, reflecting widespread public support for trapping as a responsible stewardship of natural resources; and WHEREAS, according to the most recent data from the United States Fish …
Georgia Forestry Commission; serving the State of Georgia as an emergency response agency; commend
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House resolution formally commends the Georgia Forestry Commission for its work protecting the state's forests and responding to wildfires and other emergencies.
… resources; and WHEREAS, the Georgia Forestry Commission has worked diligently toward its mission "to provide leadership, service, and education to protect and conserve Georgia's forest resources" and …
Reheis, Harold Franklin; condolences
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House resolution honors the life of Harold Franklin Reheis, the former director of Georgia's Environmental Protection Division, following his death at age 81.
… 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 …
Poindexter, Deetra; The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts' 2025 Supervisor of the Year; commend
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House resolution formally commends Deetra Poindexter, District Supervisor for the Clayton County Conservation District, for being named the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts' 2025 Supervisor of the Year.
… educators are aware of programs, such as the Natural Resource Conservation Workshop; passionately teaches students about soil and water conservation in Clayton County; and is instrumental in promoting …
Johnson, Jr., Handy; recognize
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Senate resolution formally recognizes and commends Handy Johnson, Jr. of Atlanta's West End neighborhood for his decades of community leadership, historic preservation work, and career with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
… of Atlanta Comprehensive Historic Resources Survey Steering Committee; and WHEREAS, for 34 years, Handy worked with the State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources in the Division of …
Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation; increase
Summary by Georgia Commons: Senate Bill 45 would double the maximum acreage eligible for Georgia's bona fide conservation use tax break, from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres, for farmers, timber owners and family farm entities.
… as such by the Department of Natural Resources, if the primary use of such property is its maintenance in its natural condition or controlling or abating pollution of …
Conservation and natural resources; increase project cost threshold for public roads or airports requiring environmental evaluations
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 1277 would raise the cost threshold that triggers state environmental review for public road and airport projects from $100 million to $200 million, change several Department of Transportation reporting rules, and adjust electric vehicle charging definitions.
… probable to expect significant adverse impact on historical sites or buildings and cultural resources. <ins>On July 1, 2027, and each July 1 thereafter, the division shall be …
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; finance and perform certain duties in connection with projects related to facilitating solar installations on closed landfills; authorize
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 1133 would let the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority help finance and manage solar panel installations built on closed landfills across the state, adding new legal definitions and liability protections for the work.
… organization the primary purposes of which are the permanent protection and conservation of land and natural resources. <del>(10.3)(15)</del> 'Nonprofit corporation' means any corporation qualified …
Public Service Commission; establishment of renewable energy sources and renewable energy portfolio standard goals for electric service providers; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 402 would direct Georgia's Public Service Commission to set voluntary renewable energy goals for utilities and let the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority help finance renewable energy projects.
… wind; solar energy; low impact hydropower; geothermal resources; ocean thermal energy; wave or tidal energy; biofuels derived entirely from organic sources other than coal, petroleum, or natural gas …
"Community Housing Options Increase Efficiency (CHOICE) Act"; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia Senate bill would let larger counties and cities earn state certifications for adopting pro-housing zoning and permitting reforms, giving certified local governments priority for state grants and loans and, in some cases, waived matching-fund requirements.
… Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conservation and natural resources, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows: <ins …
Community Housing Options Increase Cost Efficiency (CHOICE) Act; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons: HB 400, the CHOICE Act, would let larger Georgia counties and cities earn state certifications for adopting pro-housing zoning policies, giving them priority for certain state grants and loans starting in 2027.
… A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Titles 12, 32, and 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conservation and natural resources, highways …
Firefighter Health and Environmental Safety Act; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House bill would phase out PFAS 'forever chemicals' in firefighting foam and gear, create a state council to track firefighter health, and require insurance coverage for PFAS blood testing.
… Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conservation and natural resources, is amended in Article 1 of Chapter 2, relating to the Department of …
Northwest Georgia Regional Commission; 65th anniversary; recognize
Summary by Georgia Commons: A House resolution commends the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission for 65 years of service to Northwest Georgia counties and directs the House Clerk to send it a copy of the resolution.
… resident, through orderly growth, conservation of the region's natural and historic resources, and care and development of the region's human resources." NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED …
Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; allow certain sworn law enforcement officers to be eligible for retirement benefits at age 55; provisions
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 438 would let all sworn law enforcement officers in the Georgia Department of Public Safety, plus its commissioner and deputy commissioner, retire at age 55 with full benefits and qualify for related disability protections, not just those in the department's Uniform Division as under current law.
… of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, <del>conservation rangers; </del> <ins>(iii) Game wardens</ins> of the Department of Natural Resources, <del>or in; </del> <ins>(iv) In …
Public utilities; solar power facility agreements; revise provisions
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House bill would strengthen rules for solar power facility leases, letting state regulators issue cease and desist orders and fines against solar companies that don't post required cleanup bonds before they start generating power.
… of such agreements; to authorize the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources to issue cease and desist orders; to provide civil penalties; to provide an …
Senate Study Committee on Improving and Increasing Recycling; create
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia Senate resolution creates a five-member study committee to examine how the state can boost recycling rates and grow markets for materials like glass, aluminum, plastics, paper, and tires.
… an economic development tool that supports manufacturing, supply chains, and jobs while conserving natural resources; and WHEREAS, recyclable commodities such as glass, aluminum, plastics, paper, tires, and other …
Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; all sworn law enforcement officers serving in and the commissioner and deputy commissioner of the Department of Public Safety to be eligible for regular retirement benefits at the age of 55 years; allow
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia Senate bill would let all sworn law enforcement officers in the Department of Public Safety, along with its commissioner and deputy commissioner, retire with full benefits at age 55 instead of the usual retirement age.
… of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, <del>conservation rangers; </del> <ins>(iii) Game wardens</ins> of the Department of Natural Resources, <del>or in; </del> <ins>(iv) In …
Official Code of Georgia Annotated; revise, modernize and correct errors or omissions
Summary by Georgia Commons: This is the annual Georgia Code Revision Commission bill that fixes typos, punctuation, cross-references, and outdated terms across dozens of titles of the Official Code of Georgia and formally reenacts the entire Code for 2026.
… Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conservation and natural resources, is amended in: (1) Chapter 3, relating to parks, historic areas, memorials, and …
Ad Valorem Taxation; assessment of tangible real property used for community housing provider properties; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Senate Finance Committee substitute for SB 576 would create a lower property tax assessment for small, nonprofit, or family landlords who rent out single-family homes, while larger corporate landlords keep the standard assessment.
… time application was made to the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources for participation under Article 9 of Chapter 8 of Title 12, the 'Georgia …