Comité Natural Resources & Environment de la Cámara de Representantes, 19 de marzo de 2026

Transcripción

128 turnos. Seleccione un tiempo para reproducir ese momento del video.

1. 0:00:00

   And, um, but, uh, that's interesting. I, I didn't know that you'd be sharing that story, but it was ins-

2. 0:00:07

   A very, very inspiring story.

3. 0:00:09

   Thank you. I got a, got a great wife, and God sent a great guy. So, thank you.

4. 0:00:14

   My cousin.

5. 0:01:34

   I, I believe it's gonna be, uh-

6. 0:01:36

   I think Jesse, Jesse Lee

7. 0:01:37

   ... Chair- Chairwoman Smith.

8. 0:01:40

   Chairwoman Smith?

9. 0:01:41

   Yes.

10. 0:01:43

    Yes.

11. 0:01:43

    I know that's who's, I know that's who's been asked.

12. 0:01:53

    Hope you didn't mind me-

13. 0:01:53

    No, I don't mind at all. That'd be a good choice.

14. 0:01:58

    That'd be a good choice.

15. 0:13:59

    We're getting ready to start, y'all.

16. 0:14:26

    Good morning, everyone. We're ready to start our meeting. And number 29, will you open with a prayer, please?

17. 0:14:33

    Let us pray. Heavenly Father, I just want to come to you and just thank you for this great, awesome day. I just want to thank you for each and every day to be awesome. And Lord, as we go throughout this day, just be with each and everyone that has traveled in today. Allow for us to make the great decisions for the state that we serve. And Lord, if you will, just be with all of our families as we're away. And Lord, we thank you for all your blessings. In your name, we pray. Amen.

18. 0:14:53

    Amen. We have, um, a posture this morning is we have two bills before the committee that, um, both have had long journeys. But we're gonna start, first of all, with, um, the GOSSA Act 478, Senate Bill 478, and the LC number is 443535S. So, Senator, thank you.

19. 0:15:24

    No, thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee. I appreciate that. I do bring before you 478. Um, we, uh, made a one small change in, uh, subcommittee, um, to, uh, lower the, uh, percentage that goes into this fund down from 80% to, uh, 60%. Um, and that's just, just trying to be a little more conservative. We've obviously, y'all all know that we've got a, a lot of tax bills floating around, property tax bills, income tax bills, tax credit bills, and, uh, just a lot happening right there, out there.

20. 0:15:59

    So we just wanted to be a little more conservative on that to make sure, uh, that, you know, that we protect, uh, the resources of our state, not only financially, but, uh, uh, n- naturally as well. So, uh, just, uh, wanted to make that small little change and, um, that's what we did in subcommittee, Madam Chair, and I'd be glad to take any questions if there are any.

21. 0:16:21

    Thank you. We will take a couple of questions.

22. 0:16:28

    25. Who has 25?

23. 0:16:29

    I don't have a question, but at the appropriate time, I'm ready to make a motion.

24. 0:16:36

    Um, I have another question, number 11.

25. 0:16:41

    Thank you, Madam Chairman. On line 12 on our copy, it still says 80%. Was the intent to keep that there so that at a different time we could increase it to 80%, uh, stay at 60 on line 24, but eventually move it up to 80%, or is that just a typo?

26. 0:17:01

    That, that is actually a present- a question for our presenter.

27. 0:17:06

    Um-

28. 0:17:07

    I think the law allows that.

29. 0:17:08

    Yeah, I think it already allows that much.

30. 0:17:11

    Uh, so y- are you on-

31. 0:17:13

    Thank you

32. 0:17:14

    ... are you on LC443535S?

33. 0:17:17

    Yes.

34. 0:17:18

    Everyone?

35. 0:17:18

    Yes.

36. 0:17:19

    Okay.

37. 0:17:19

    Yes.

38. 0:17:20

    Um- Line 12. Okay.

39. 0:17:25

    Is it? Okay. Thank you.

40. 0:17:28

    I think that allows it.

41. 0:17:30

    Thank you.

42. 0:17:37

    Okay. Paul can answer.

43. 0:17:38

    Yes.

44. 0:17:38

    All right. Um, thank heavens our lead counsel got up as early as we did. So, um, Paul, you're on.

45. 0:17:48

    So first of all, I wanna make sure I understand the question.

46. 0:17:51

    Okay.

47. 0:17:51

    If, if that could be restated for me, please.

48. 0:17:53

    All right. Let's restate the question.

49. 0:17:58

    Oh.

50. 0:17:59

    On line 12-

51. 0:18:00

    Mm-hmm

52. 0:18:00

    ... it says, "Which authorizes up to 80% of all monies received by the state."

53. 0:18:05

    That refers to what the Constitution provides-

54. 0:18:07

    Thank you

55. 0:18:07

    ... which is 80%. So then on line 24, it only went up to 60. It could go up to 80.

56. 0:18:14

    Thank you. I appreciate the clarity.

57. 0:18:15

    Yes, ma'am.

58. 0:18:18

    Thank you. Do I have any other questions? So we're ready for a motion. What's your number again? Okay. Thank you.

59. 0:18:28

    Thank you, Madam Chair. I motion do pass on SB 478.

60. 0:18:32

    Thank you. And I have second? Second. I, this question is before the committee as a whole. Is there, are there any more questions? Then all in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Well, the State of Georgia's a little bit better off. So, um, thank you for all your work that you've done on this bill.

61. 0:18:53

    Well, thank you, Madam Chair, and if you, if you don't mind, I just wanna tell you thank you for, for your service and, and what you've done for our state and all of our natural resources, and you've been a, a great champion of, of this legislation from the very beginning, and I, I can't thank you enough, so I just wanted to say that publicly, so thank you.

62. 0:19:10

    Thank you. I've decided in this world we all play relay games. I just am passing the baton to somebody else, so-

63. 0:19:17

    Well, thank you

64. 0:19:17

    ... thank you for that comment.

65. 0:19:18

    Yes, ma'am.

66. 0:19:21

    All right. I just want to tell those of who are following Senate Bill 447, it might not move as quickly, but let's just move on to that bill. And bill presenter come up for us, please.

67. 0:19:49

    Now that time. But while they're getting arranged, I'm trying to think of how to help the, uh, general public follow what's been going on, and, um, it's been to government affairs on the Senate side. It came through as a bill on the government affairs on the House side, and now it's landed up here with Natural Resource and Environment, and that brings us into this discussion because we deal with the land itself, the land disturbance. And to help people understand, I used to teach all grades in school.

68. 0:20:21

    This is a lot like Georgia's all-star game, and we have open portals. And as we're getting the bases full, we finally knew who to get the home run hitter, and it's the House of Natural Resources. So thank y'all. So thank y'all for all your work. Um, it's, it's complicated, and these types of things should be. We're getting an input from all of our citizens. And in our role here, we don't deal with the zoning and the planning. That's a governmental affairs thing. But the cog in the wheel was how do we help our local governments deal with any of these permits that have to deal with it coming through, um, our committee.

69. 0:20:59

    So, Senator, we're ready. Let's do, if you'll just mention your LC number, or do you need me to do that?

70. 0:21:06

    Uh, no, ma'am, I can do that.

71. 0:21:07

    Okay.

72. 0:21:08

    Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.

73. 0:21:09

    Mm-hmm.

74. 0:21:09

    Uh, working off of LC443541S.

75. 0:21:17

    Go ahead.

76. 0:21:18

    Thank you, Madam Chairwoman and, uh, committee members. Uh, grateful for the work from, from y'all and also from the subcommittee, uh, perfecting the bill. Uh, we did make several changes, um, through that committee process, so grateful, uh, for the House working with me on that. Um, again, you know, this is a, uh, permitting bill dealing with land disturbance permits. Um, and, you know, the reason for the bill is you do have issues with some local municipalities, uh, delaying the process. Um, and if we can...

77. 0:21:50

    You know, with this bill, you know, it, it does help both sides, as the chairman said in the subcommittee, uh, very well. That, you know, we're basically creating a sandbox, and both parties, the, the applicant and the local municipality, gotta play in that sandbox. And either one of them get outside of it, there's consequences for both.

78. 0:22:10

    Now, committee members, uh, you know, if you remember, uh, the bill, uh, currently in statute, uh, as you submit a land disturbance permit, uh, currently you have, or the municipality has 45 days, uh, to review, uh, that document and return it either approved or issue comments, uh, for the applicant to address. Uh, uh, one of the changes that we've made in the subcommittee process is with the second, uh, I guess not the second, but when you go back for your reapplication after you've addressed the comments, um, instead of 14 days, uh, with that being the first resubmittal, uh, there will be more comments, and it could take more time for the municipality to review it.

79. 0:22:50

    Uh, so we upped that to 20 days. And then for each, uh, subsequent resubmittal after that, it would be a 14-day turnaround. Uh, no limit to the, the number of, uh, we didn't limit that. We wanna make sure that they're able to perfect the plat. And then also, uh, later in the bill, uh, it basically, w- what it describes there is just written reason, uh, you know, for, uh, the, uh, don't wanna say denial, but for the, the comments, uh, to the applicant.

80. 0:23:26

    Uh, they have to be in writing.

81. 0:23:32

    And then also, uh, on the tolling review, uh, those timelines when dealing with an outside agency, uh, the, the timetable or the shot clock, it stops, uh, while it's out of the hands of the local municipality until it's returned to them.

82. 0:23:49

    The bill also, uh, adds in, and this was, uh, an addition, uh, from House Bill 812, uh, where it, uh, authorizes the use of private professional providers to conduct inspections.

83. 0:24:08

    And as far as, and we had a lot of debate over the, the stick, or if, uh, the municipality doesn't respond, uh, within the timeframes, uh, to the applicant. Uh, we did remove the deemed approved. I know that was giving a lot of folks heartburn and the fear of having an incomplete project, uh, that would, you know, potentially cause issues, uh, with the community. And what we replaced that with, the stick we got in there, is mandamus relief, where that way the applicant could, uh, you know, go after application fees or, you know, damages of that nature.

84. 0:24:48

    And then another change that we made, or an addition we made, uh, to m- material additions. Uh, so that, if you remember, had to do with if, um, an applicant, uh, you know, made changes to the plat outside of the, uh, the comments that the municipality made, uh, you know, we added, uh, more clarification to that, uh, so it would be more defined. It was very vague in the original bill. We also took, uh, you know, we've got a, a for, uh, if a municipality's not issuing, uh, more than 250 permits in a year, it wouldn't trigger this.

85. 0:25:26

    And then also, we put a ceiling in there. If it's a development of regional impact or a DRI is triggered, then that, the timetable would, would stop there as well. They would, the project would not fall under this bill. And that would also, uh, alleviate concerns. I know some comm- committee members talked about data centers or, you know, large projects like that. The timetable would not be on there, so the municipality would have time to review, uh, those more complex or larger projects.

86. 0:26:05

    And then on the tracking system, uh, we did update that as far as the start date. Uh, we did have in the original bill January 2027. Uh, we moved that back a year, uh, to 2028 to give municipalities more time, uh, to implement that.

87. 0:26:25

    And then we also, uh, had in there that the local municipality, as far as a completed application, they've got five days, uh, when they receive the application, to respond to the applicant, uh, that it's completed or if there's additions or changes that need to be made.

88. 0:26:46

    And Madam Chair, when I believe that that covers it, I hope. I'll be happy to answer any questions that the committee's got.

89. 0:26:52

    Um, probably we are gonna have some questions, if you'll go ahead and push the buttons. Um, to, to your point, first of all, thank you for the work and for both sides, the House and the Senate. It's been a complicated problem for us for a lo- long time. And, um, just wanna make clear to the citizens or voters who are tracking this issue that, that the effort has been to facilitate but not to harm anything, our land or anything like that. So just wanted to make that clear.

90. 0:27:23

    W- th- there is a big worry about big developments coming in with no input. It doesn't change how the local governments work with their citizens. That power is all still there. This is dealing more with how we work the, um, issues at the state level. So thank you.

91. 0:27:41

    Thank you.

92. 0:27:41

    So-

93. 0:27:43

    Number 17, state your name and ask your question. Debbie Buckner. Um, the changes that you've made are absolutely wonderful. Thank you for the work that I know you did probably half the night. And- Well, well, thank you to the committee. I mean, many of your committee members, I mean, worked very hard with me on that as well. It wasn't just me. So, uh, I'm very grateful, uh, to your committee, um, for the work. My, my question is kind of woven between two sections, so it's not two questions, but one impacts the other.

94. 0:28:14

    It- back in, on page seven where you're, in code 36- the 6034, that's where the 250 building permits per year is listed. Uh, it's been brought to my attention that that may just apply to the webpage and not to the number of permits, and, um, that could impact, on page five, returning of fees. And of course, there's still the question of will fees be returned for the application and the permit paperwork?

95. 0:28:48

    'Cause that was a little unclear yesterday, and I can't see that it's changed today. Does that make sense, the question? It'd just be those fees returned.

96. 0:29:02

    Yes, Representative, thank you. Uh, both of those questions, and yes, you are correct on the, uh... And thank you for bringing that up on the 250, uh, permits. That, that is for that website. Yes, ma'am, that is correct. And then, uh, as far as for the, the refunding, i- it's just for the application fees is what it would be, would be refunded to the applicant on page five. Okay.

97. 0:29:30

    Number, um, let me see who we have. Number 18, state your name and ask your question. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, Long Tran from District 80. Could you clarify if a local issuing authority tells an applicant that the application is incomplete within the first five days, and then they submit a new application, if the local issuing authority still has the remainder of those 45 days? Um, I can't find that referenced in the bill.

98. 0:30:00

    Oh, thank you. Thank you, Representative, for the question. Yeah, so, um, on the, the completed application, yeah, so, uh, the applicant submits. If the issuing authority says it's incomplete, sends it back, there's no timetable that's started. So when they resubmit the application, the, the, the municipality has five days to review that application, uh, as well to deem if it's complete. Once it's completed, then it would go into the 45 days as far as the review period. So it would be separate. So they'd have the five days plus the 45 days to review the plat.

99. 0:30:34

    Could you, um- You have a question? Yes. One further question, Madam Chairman. Um, could you tell me where in the bill it clarifies that?

100. 0:31:01

     From line 81. Oh, Long Tran, welcome. You're still on the line. Um- Line 81? Yeah, that's where it starts is line 81. Okay. That's it. Thank you, Madam Chair.

101. 0:31:16

     And, um, number 21. And while we're waiting for that question to come up, we do all the detail work in subcommittees. So we've spent a lot of time reviewing and working on this. Actually, our whole committee attended a lot of those meetings, and, um, with a bill like this, uh, it sometimes, um, people need reassurance to know that we are in fact looking after our constituents. And number 21, state your name and question. Uh, Vance Smith, District 138.

102. 0:31:47

     Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, if you don't mind, I'd like to have Paul make sure he listens so we can clarify something. You made a statement yesterday, Paul, about the five days, and that didn't include weekends and holidays. In this bill, we have a 20-day period and then a 14-day period. Will those two days go along with that same scenario that you had yesterday on the five days? Give me just a moment and I will tell you. All right. Thank you. Let me look that up. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Paul. Thank you, Madam Chair. All right. We will return to you if you'll just keep your button going and I'll come back.

103. 0:32:21

     Number 12, state your name and your question. Thanks, Madam Chair. Rep Townsend, 179, down in St. Simons, Coastal Georgia. And, uh, quick question. Lines 100 and 10, uh, kind of 103, in that area. Just making sure, um, it talks about local authority requires compliance with additional regulatory items. I assume those are standard in the industry, the different regulatory items.

104. 0:32:56

     And then it, later on in 103, talks about review time frames, and I would assume that would be in policy already.

105. 0:33:22

     Refers back to C? Okay. I'm hearing it refers back to C. It does refer back to C. Yeah, that's what I just heard. But the application, yeah, it's, it's not beyond the erosion sediment control, uh, storm water management, and utilities. Okay, so it's all tied in. Okay. Yes. Thanks. You're welcome. Thank you. And back to number 21. State your name and your question.

106. 0:33:51

     Yeah, y'all.

107. 0:33:52

     Uh, okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, Vance Smith, District 138. Um, I was going to check to see if Paul had come up with a answer to that.

108. 0:34:00

     Yes, sir.

109. 0:34:01

     All right.

110. 0:34:01

     So, so the five-day period would exclude weekends and holidays. For the 20 and 14-day periods, that is not the case. But if the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday, then you get till the next business day.

111. 0:34:18

     Okay. Very good. I just wanted to make sure we got that clear. Thank you, Paul. Appreciate it.

112. 0:34:22

     All right. Thank you, Madam Chair.

113. 0:34:25

     Um, all right. So I see no more questions.

114. 0:34:30

     I make a motion to pass.

115. 0:34:31

     All right. If you'll just say it louder. Do pass?

116. 0:34:35

     Yes, Madam Chair, I make a motion to do pass.

117. 0:34:37

     Okay. And a second. Okay. Any further discussion?

118. 0:34:44

     So all in favor, please signify by saying I.

119. 0:34:47

     I.

120. 0:34:47

     All opposed, nay. Nay. Two, two nays? Two nays. Two nays. Okay. Um, first of all, I wanted to thank the bill's author for, um, going through the House pro- you know, process. It's, it's more complicated. Um, I want to thank, um, chair of our Government Affairs Committee. This bill has been in government affairs and is now in natural resources, so to the people who are tracking what we're doing, this kind of brings it all together in this bill. And, um, um, Mr...

121. 0:35:19

     Chairman Anderson, will you be carrying the bill?

122. 0:35:21

     Yes, ma'am.

123. 0:35:22

     Okay. And number 21? Oh, go ahead.

124. 0:35:26

     Madam Chair, Vance Smith, District 138. This could possibly be our last Natural Resources meeting, so I think we just, uh, as fellow committee members, we've had a wonderful leader, and still have a wonderful leader all the way till December 31st, I guess you'd say. But, um, we just appreciate everything you've done for the state of Georgia, uh, everything you've done for us to train us, to teach us how we should be looking at these natural resources issues. So I think we ought to give Madam Chair a good old round of applause. Do y'all

125. 0:36:10

     agree?

126. 0:36:10

     Wow. Thank y'all. Thank you. Wow. Um, thank you. Uh, I'm just gonna add to this. If you see a turtle on a fence post- ... it didn't get there by itself. So as much as I appreciate this applause, you also need to thank yourself, 'cause it's pulling the committee together, and I think we've, we've just almost like a family. Um, it's just a, a good interaction. So I look good because y'all make me. That's what I'm saying. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. You have a bill.

127. 0:36:39

     Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll maintain out.

128. 0:36:40

     And we stand adjourned. However, I want to tell y'all... No, am I too fast? No. No. I want to tell you this real quick. You never know what's coming up, so check with us. We'll post on the bulletin board, and we'll send you out texts. So you, you haven't gotten rid of me yet.