Environment

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.

A RESOLUTION to ratify amendments to a certain comprehensive state-wide water management plan; to provide for force and effect; to provide for construction; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 6 of Chapter 7 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to liability for use of fertilizers, plant growth regulators, or pesticides, so as to clarify that a manufacturer cannot be held liable for failing to warn consumers of health risks above those required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency with respect to pesticides; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to provide for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to increase the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-2-86 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to license plates promoting or supporting certain agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations with proceeds disbursed to the general fund and the agency, fund, or nonprofit corporation, so as to establish a specialty license plate supporting the state 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 compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

HB 90 amends Georgia's tax code to raise the maximum acreage limit for land to qualify for preferential tax assessment as conservation property. This change directly affects landowners who manage large tracts of land for conservation purposes, allowing properties exceeding the previous size threshold to maintain lower tax rates. The key provision increases the acreage cap under Code Section 48-5-7.4, ensuring more conservation land qualifies for reduced taxation. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and repeals conflicting tax laws.