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 “Public utilities”.
Public Utilities and Public Transportation; a consumer utility counsel to represent consumers in matters before the Public Service Commission or other agencies concerning public utilities; reestablish
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Senate committee substitute would recreate an Office of the Consumers' Utility Counsel to represent Georgia residents and small businesses in cases before the Public Service Commission and other agencies over utility rates and service.
… A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public utilities and public transportation, so as to …
Highways; procedures and remedies when a highway improvement project is delayed due to removal, relocation, or adjustment of utility facilities; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House bill would change how the Department of Transportation handles utility companies that block or delay highway construction projects, adding stricter deadlines, a new permit suspension penalty, and eliminating a mediation option for utility damage disputes.
… relocation, or adjustment of a utility facility, the utility and the department shall adhere to the department's utility relocation procedures for public road improvements which shall include …
Public utilities; reestablish a consumer utility counsel to represent consumers in matters before the Public Service Commission or other agencies
Summary by Georgia Commons: A House bill would recreate an independent Office of the Consumers' Utility Counsel in Georgia to represent everyday ratepayers before the Public Service Commission and other agencies over utility rates and services.
… Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public utilities and public transportation, is amended by revising Chapter 10, which is reserved, as follows: "CHAPTER …
Georgia Public Service Commission; rename as Georgia Public Utilities Commission - CA
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House resolution would ask voters to change the state Constitution to rename the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, as the Public Utilities Commission starting in 2027.
… PUBLIC <del>SERVICE</del> <ins>UTILITIES</ins> COMMISSION Paragraph I. Public <del>Service</del> <ins>Utilities</ins> Commission. (a) There shall be a Public <del>Service </del> <ins …
Public utilities; nuclear energy generation facilities in the integrated resource plan; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House bill would add nuclear power plants to the list of energy sources utilities must weigh when they file their long-term supply plans with state regulators.
… b) Not more than 60 days after a utility has filed its plan, the commission shall convene a public hearing on the adequacy of the plan. At the …
Public Service Commission; costs incurred by an electric utility as a result of providing electric services to commercial data centers from being included in any rates; prohibit
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Senate substitute for SB 34 would require electric utilities in Georgia to include specific consumer-protection terms in contracts with very large power customers, such as data centers, so their costs are not shifted onto residential customers.
… of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Public Service Commission, so as to require certain contract terms and conditions between electric utilities and large load customers; to provide for …
Electric utilities; protect residential and retail electricity customers from costs associated with data center construction and operation; require
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 1063 would require Georgia electric utilities to include customer-protection terms in contracts with large data centers, so residential and small business ratepayers do not absorb the costs of building power infrastructure for those facilities.
… Each contract between an electric utility and a data center for the provision of electric service shall include terms and conditions designed to protect residential and retail electricity …
Public utilities; require grid modernization assessments to be filed with integrated resources plans
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 1381 would require Georgia's electric utilities to study grid upgrade technologies before building new transmission lines and to include a grid modernization assessment in their long-range resource plans filed with state regulators.
… The plan shall also: (A) Contain the size and type of facilities which are expected to be owned or operated in whole or in part by such utility …
Public utilities; require electric supplier to hold the proposed discontinuation of electrical service to a residential customer who suffers from a serious illness in abeyance for a certain period of time
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia Senate substitute for HB 641 would require electric utilities serving homes to adopt a written policy on delaying service shutoffs for residential customers with serious, life-threatening medical conditions, starting January 1, 2027.
The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities offered the following substitute to HB 641: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 3 of Title …
Public utilities; portable solar generation devices; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 1304 would let Georgians plug small, portable solar panels directly into a wall outlet without utility approval or special fees, as long as the devices stay under 1,200 watts.
… of this chapter. (6) 'Electric service provider' means any electric utility, electric membership corporation, or municipal electric utility that is engaged in the business of distributing electricity to …
Georgia Public Service Commission; rename as Georgia Public Utilities Commission
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 653 would rename the Georgia Public Service Commission as the Georgia Public Utilities Commission, updating that name throughout Georgia law, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in November 2026.
… In all such instances, the Georgia Public Utilities Commission shall be substituted for the Georgia Public Service Commission, and the Georgia Public Utilities Commission shall </ins> <ins>succeed …
Sales and use tax; sale of any tangible personal property used or consumed in connection with the generation, transmission, distribution, sale, or furnishing of electricity; exempt
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 1176 would exempt public utilities from paying state and local sales and use taxes on equipment and materials used to generate, transmit, distribute, or sell electricity in Georgia, starting January 1, 2027.
… as follows: <ins>"(106)(A) Beginning on January 1, 2027, sales to any public utility for tangible personal property that is used or consumed in connection with or …
"Georgia Homegrown Solar Act of 2025"; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons: Senate Bill 203 would create a statewide community solar program in Georgia, letting customers of the state's largest electric utility subscribe to off-site solar facilities and get bill credits, while setting new interconnection and data-access rules.
… Following public notice and an opportunity for public comment, the commission shall adopt or amend such proposed program, which the electric utility shall make available to customers within …
Georgia Homegrown Solar Act of 2025; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 507 would create Georgia's first statewide community solar program, letting customers subscribe to off-site solar projects and get bill credits, while setting new rules for interconnection and access to their own meter data.
… Following public notice and an opportunity for public comment, the commission shall adopt or amend such proposed program, which the electric utility shall make available to customers within …
Local government; require municipalities to remit a portion of revenue generated through certain franchise agreements to the county in which they are located
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 1384 would require Georgia cities to send counties 25 percent of the revenue they collect from electric utility franchise agreements, splitting payments among counties for cities that span more than one county line.
… The requirements of this subparagraph shall not apply to fees that are included in the system-wide charges or base rates of a public utility or company subject …
Insurance; health care provider to respond to a private review agent or utility review entity's attempt to discuss the patient's care; detail the effort
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 197 spells out how hard health insurers' review agents must try to reach a patient's doctor before denying care, and requires insurers to offer reduced prior authorization burdens for high-performing providers.
… Code Section 33-46-6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to requirements for certification, utilization of nationally recognized accreditation standards, and website identifying nationally recognized …
Fort Valley, City of; deannex certain territory
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 1555 removes a stretch of State Route 96 and part of Houser's Mill Road from the City of Fort Valley's corporate limits and requires the city to transfer utility-related property to its utility commission when asked.
… All proceeds from any such sale shall be used solely for the benefit of the utility system, provided that the commission has satisfied any indebtedness thereon or purchased …
Public utilities; subject certain companies providing water services to regulation by Public Service Commission
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House bill would bar homeowners' association covenants and large private water companies from stopping property owners from digging or using their own irrigation wells, as long as the well only serves that owner's land.
… A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Titles 44 and 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property and public utilities and public …
Importance of voluntary community based resource recovery efforts through the RESCUER initiative and the utilization of digital platforms to facilitate food sharing within local communities; recognize
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House resolution recognizes the RESCUER initiative, a voluntary community program that uses digital platforms to help neighbors, food banks, and retailers share edible food that would otherwise go to waste.
… of voluntary community based resource recovery efforts through the RESCUER initiative and the utilization of digital platforms to facilitate food sharing within local communities; and for other purposes …
Revenue and taxation; level 1 freeport exemptions for certain goods in inventory for electric utilities; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 1261 lets Georgia counties and cities offer local property tax exemptions on inventory that electric utilities keep on hand for building, repairing, or maintaining power infrastructure in the state.
… The official books and records of any such warehouse, dock, or wharf, whether public or private, pertaining to any such property for which a freeport exemption has been …
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.
… Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public utilities and public transportation, is amended in Article 1 of Chapter 3, relating to generation and …
Insurance; medical necessity of a healthcare service; provisions
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House bill would require that insurance denials based on medical necessity get sign-off from a clinical peer licensed in Georgia before a treating provider's care can be overruled.
… Code Section 33-46-6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to requirements for certification, utilization of nationally recognized accreditation standards, and website identifying nationally recognized …
Education; utilize weapon detection systems in certain school buildings; require local boards of education and other public school governing bodies
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia Senate committee substitute for HB 1023 would require local school boards and other public school governing bodies to install weapon detection systems at school building entrances, starting January 1, 2028.
The Senate Committee on Public Safety offered the following substitute to HB 1023: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 27 of Chapter 2 of …
Environmental Protection Division; maintain a public website for monitoring levels of certain contaminants in public water systems
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 1501 would require Georgia's Environmental Protection Division to post PFAS chemical levels for every public water system online and require water utilities to notify residents when legal limits are exceeded.
… contaminants in public water systems; to provide for annual reports and recommendations to the General Assembly; to provide for notice to water utility companies operating public water systems …
"Freedom of Speech and Belief Act"; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia Senate bill would bar large banks, payment processors, and utility companies from cutting off service to customers based on a 'social credit score' tied to their political speech, gun ownership, or religious beliefs.
… Nothing in this division shall: (I) Require the public disclosure of any information relating to investigations that is prohibited from being publicly disclosed under applicable federal laws, including …
Georgia Lineworker Appreciation Day; recognize April 13, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes April 13, 2026 as Georgia Lineworker Appreciation Day at the state capitol, honoring the state's electrical lineworkers.
… BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and …
State Sales and Use Taxes; the data center equipment sales and use tax exemption; repeal
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia Senate bill would end new sales tax exemptions for high-tech computer and data center equipment, and require electric utilities to write contract protections for ratepayers when serving very large power customers like data centers.
… relating to the Public Service Commission and sales and use taxes, respectively, so as to require certain contract terms and conditions between electric utilities and large load customers …
Georgia Lineworker Appreciation Day at the state capitol; April 13, 2026; recognize
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House resolution recognizes April 13, 2026, as Georgia Lineworker Appreciation Day at the state capitol, honoring the men and women who build and repair the state's power lines.
… storms and other catastrophic events, working to make the scene safe for other public safety heroes; and WHEREAS, lineworkers work with thousands of volts of electricity high atop …
House Study Committee on Georgia Department of Transportation Contracting; create
Summary by Georgia Commons: A House resolution would create a ten-member study committee to examine how the Georgia Department of Transportation handles highway construction contracts, including delays caused by utility relocation work.
… WHEREAS, contracts for highway construction projects are complex undertakings that impact the parties involved and the general public; and WHEREAS, movement of existing infrastructure such as utilities often …
Electrical service; require new data centers to operate as hybrid power data centers
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 1323 would require any new data center built in Georgia after July 1, 2027 to run on some form of hybrid power combining renewable energy with grid electricity, with the Public Service Commission overseeing compliance.
… center which utilizes contracted or virtual solar power not physically on site; (B) 'On-site solar hybrid data center' means a data center which utilizes solar generation located …
"Freedom of Speech and Belief Act"; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia Senate bill would bar large banks, payment processors, and utility companies from cutting off services to customers because of their political views, religion, gun ownership, or other constitutionally protected activity.
… Nothing in this division shall: (I) Require the public disclosure of any information relating to investigations that is prohibited from being publicly disclosed under applicable federal laws, including …
Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors; decouple the sequential order of experience and examination requirements
Summary by Georgia Commons: Senate Bill 125 rewrites Georgia's licensing rules for electrical contractors, plumbers, HVAC installers, low voltage and utility contractors, and lets professional engineers take their licensing exam without first finishing all required work experience.
… 1197 Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public utilities and public 1198 transportation, is amended in: 1199 (1) Code Section 46-3-30 …
Professions and Businesses; repeal Chapter 14, relating to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low voltage contractors, and utility contractors and enact a new Chapter 14
Summary by Georgia Commons: Senate Bill 553 rewrites Georgia's licensing system for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, low voltage, and utility contractors, replacing the old chapter of law with a new one and creating a 27-member state licensing board with five specialty divisions.
… The practices of electrical contracting, plumbing contracting, low voltage contracting, utility contracting, and conditioned air contracting are declared to be businesses or professions affecting the public interest; and …
Ad valorem tax; language required to be included in notices of current assessment; revise
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 445 would let owners of business personal property worth more than $200,000 appeal county tax assessments to a hearing officer, and would add large private water and sewer systems to the definition of a public utility for tax purposes.
… 48-1-2, relating to definitions, by revising paragraph (21) as follows: "(21) 'Public utility' means all railroad companies, street and suburban railroads, or sleeping car companies; persons …
Georgia Linemen Day; recognize March 11, 2025
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia Senate resolution designates March 11, 2025, as Georgia Linemen Day to honor utility linemen who restore power after storms and disasters, including their work after Hurricane Helene.
… BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and …
Interstate Massage Compact Act; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Senate substitute for HB 232 would scrap Georgia's existing boards for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, low voltage, and utility contractors and replace them with one new State Construction Industry Licensing Board, while also raising the required training hours for massage therapist licensure from 500 to 600.
… The practices of electrical contracting, plumbing contracting, low voltage contracting, utility contracting, and conditioned air contracting are declared to be businesses or </ins> <ins>professions affecting the public …
Education; local and state charter schools have the right to lease, utilize, or buy unused facilities of a local board of education; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House bill would give local and state charter schools the right to lease, use, or buy unused school buildings owned by local school boards, with new rules for negotiating terms and settling disputes.
… The construction of all public school buildings must be approved by the <del>county </del> <ins>local</ins> school superintendent and <del>county board</del> <ins>local board …
Crimes and offenses; protections for inspectors of code enforcement; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons: House Bill 483 adds code enforcement officials to the list of Georgia public workers who get enhanced criminal penalties when they are assaulted or battered while on duty.
… to Article 6 of Chapter 8 of Title 42. <ins>(9)(11)</ins> 'Public safety officer' means peace officer, correctional officer, emergency health worker, firefighter, highway emergency response …
Local government; prohibit elected officials of a county, municipal corporation, or any county-municipal consolidated government from entering into nondisclosure agreements with private entities relating to economic development
Summary by Georgia Commons: HB1473 would bar county and city elected officials in Georgia from signing confidentiality agreements with private companies on economic development deals, and would require an independent impact study before local governments approve such projects.
… 36-93-3. (a) Prior to any vote or formal action taken by a governing authority involving land use, annexation, rezoning, tax incentives, public infrastructure allocation, utility commitment …
Public Service Commission; allow designee of a member of the General Assembly to intervene in certain cases
Summary by Georgia Commons: A Georgia House bill would let a member of the General Assembly send a designee to intervene in Public Service Commission cases on behalf of constituents, a right currently limited to the legislator personally.
… a member of the General Assembly to intervene in certain cases before the Public Service Commission; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other …