Rep. Lynn Smith

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 subject certain companies providing water services in this state to regulation by the Public Service Commission; to provide for the review of certain increases to the rates and charges of such companies by the commission; to provide for financial record keeping of such companies; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for assessments and legislative recommendations by the commission; to provide for definitions; to provide an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis Georgia bill (HB 351, now Act 259) amends the state's solid waste management laws governing the Board of Natural Resources. It modifies the Board's powers, revises permitting requirements to require written verification of local zoning compliance, removes certain permit restrictions, updates public meeting notice rules, and removes outdated terminology. The changes directly affect the Board of Natural Resources, local governments managing zoning, and entities handling solid waste permits. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, after being signed by the governor in May 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 749 amends the salary structure for Carroll County's Board of Commissioners by changing the annual compensation for both the chairperson and board members. This bill directly affects the county's elected officials who serve on the Board of Commissioners, as it modifies the pay established under the 1989 governing law. The key provision updates the salary amounts and includes related language about contractual expenditures, without altering the board's duties or authority. The bill became law as Act 167 on May 13, 2025, and took effect January 1, 2026.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to water resources, so as to revise provisions regarding water-measuring devices for farm use of surface and ground water; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act placing the coroner of Carroll County on an annual salary, approved April 17, 1973 (Ga. L. 1973, p. 2924), as amended, particularly by an Act approved April 4, 1997 (Ga. L. 1997, p. 3716), so as to change the compensation of the coroner; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act providing a homestead exemption from Coweta County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of $40,000.00 for residents of that school district who are 65 years of age but less than 71 years of age, $60,000.00 for residents of that school district who are 71 years of age but less than 75 years of age, and $80,000.00 for residents of that school district who are 75 years of age or older, approved January 17, 2002 (Ga. L. 2002, p. 3501), as amended, particularly by an Act approved May 7, 2019 (Ga. L. 2019, p. 4204), so as to raise the exemption amounts; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryHR 121 dedicates the Georgia Forestry Commission building in Dry Branch, Georgia, as the John W. Mixon Georgia Forestry Building. This resolution honors Mr. John W. Mixon for his extensive career and contributions to forest conservation in the state.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act reincorporating and providing a new charter for the City of Newnan, approved March 31, 1987 (Ga. L. 1987, p. 5160), as amended, so as to change the corporate limits; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; 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.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of Carroll County; to identify the authorized uses of such technology fee; to provide for the termination of such technology fee and dedication of residual funds; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.