---
title: O.C.G.A. § 12-8-101. Policy declaration.
collection: code
id: 12-8-101
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 12-8-101 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-8-101
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-8-101.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-8-101/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t12-(v10)-2021-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=67595359_0#page=998
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES / WASTE MANAGEMENT / HAZARDOUS WASTE / GEORGIA VOLUNTARY REMEDIATION PROGRAM
---

# O.C.G.A. § 12-8-101. Policy declaration.

(a) It is declared to be the public policy of the State of Georgia to encourage the voluntary and timely investigation and remediation of properties where there have been releases of regulated substances into the environment for the purpose of reducing human and environmental exposure to safe levels, to protect current and likely future use of groundwater, and to ensure the cost-effective allocation of limited resources that fully accomplish the provisions, purposes, standards, and policies of this part.

(b) The General Assembly declares its intent to encourage voluntary and cost-effective investigation and remediation of qualifying properties under this part and that provisions of this part shall apply and take precedence over any conflicting provisions, regulations, or policies existing under Part 2 of this article with regard to any properties properly enrolled in the voluntary remediation program created under this part.

## History

Code 1981, § 12-8-101, enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 714, § 1/HB 248.

## Editor's Notes

Former Code Section 12-8-101, formerly part of Article 4, concerning definitions, was repealed by Ga. L. 2001, p. 873, § 5, effective July 1, 2001, and was based on Ga. L. 1981, p. 462, § 3; Ga. L. 1988, p. 1934, § 1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1740, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 2234, § 6.