SB 447 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Control of Soil Erosion and Sedimentation; denial or nonacceptance of permits; revise provisions

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to control of soil erosion and sedimentation, so as to revise provisions regarding denial or nonacceptance of permits; to amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to provide general provisions for counties and municipalities regarding the acceptance, denial, or nonacceptance of certain permits; to require local issuing authorities to provide rejected permit applicants with a written list of reasons for denial within specified time frames; to provide definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed May 11, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

LC 47 4324S/hrcs → SB 447/AP* · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill updates Georgia's construction and environmental permit laws to clarify how local authorities must handle inspections by private professionals and how they must process soil erosion permits. It establishes strict timelines for rejecting permits and requires authorities to provide written reasons for any denial, ensuring applicants are informed promptly. The bill also introduces new definitions for 'completed applications' and 'operators' to standardize how these terms are understood in regulatory contexts.

Scope change

The bill expands clarity on the scope of local authority responsibilities regarding permit denials and inspection approvals, applying to both building codes and soil erosion permits across the state.

REQUIREMENT

Local authorities must now provide rejected permit applicants with a written list of reasons for denial within specific time frames.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'completed application' and 'operator' to clarify who is responsible for construction plans and site activities.

TIMELINE

Strict timelines were established for local authorities to review inspection reports and notify providers of any deficiencies.

ENFORCEMENT

Provisions were added to ensure that minor inspection deficiencies cannot delay the completion of work already approved by private professionals.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House Mar 31, 2026

How they voted

40–4

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 48

Mar 3, 2026

D Democratic19

15 Yea 2 Nay 2

78% Yea

R Republican29

25 Yea 2 Nay 2

86% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 11, 2026

Signed into law

Act 513

upper

May 11, 2026

Signed into law

Senate Date Signed by Governor

upper

Apr 2, 2026

Introduced

Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

upper

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Committee

Senate Recommitted

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Introduced

Senate Hopper

upper

13 primary · 0 co-sponsors