I had no idea that even existed.
Apparently, if a proposed bill has not passed either the House or the Senate by the close of that day, then that piece of legislature does not move forward.
In other words, the bill stops and dies in its tracks.
I have to thank One Hundred Miles for cluing me in.
Back in January, I signed on at the Naturalist 101 meeting to become a letter-writer to our elected Georgia representatives.
This morning, they called me to action... and I responded!
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The issue: Coal Ash (Multiple Bills)
HB 93: HB 93 would require public notice when Georgia Power begins dewatering coal ash ponds as part of the process of closing these toxic waste impoundments. This bill will be up for a vote on the House floor on Crossover Day.
HB 929: This bill codifies some practices in existing federal and state regulations that call for long-term monitoring of groundwater around closed coal ash ponds. HB 929 was voted out of the House Natural Resources Committee last Thursday, and will be up for a vote on the House floor on Crossover Day.
OHM’s Position: We support the passage of all coal ash bills.
URGENT: These bills will be voted on tomorrow! Contact your Representative and urge him/her to support all coal ash bills.
Done! Representative Mickey Stephens contacted!
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The issue: Coal Ash Waste.
SB 123: In 2018, Georgia’s legislature created a new loophole that makes our state even more attractive for dumping toxic coal ash. Local governments can now charge private landfill operators $2.50 for every ton of regular household garbage dumped. But the legislature carved out an exception for coal ash: the surcharge for coal ash is only $1 per ton. This cheaper rate for toxic coal ash creates an incentive for private landfill companies to fill landfills with toxic coal ash. Worse, this loophole means that out-of-state coal ash is not only welcome, but encouraged.
And who pays the real price? Local communities that are missing out on much-needed funds to offset the effects of having a toxic coal ash dump next door. SB 123 will level the playing field and let out-of-state waste generators know we don’t want their toxic coal ash in Georgia.
UPDATE: SB 123 overwhelming passed the Senate by a vote of 50-2 before Crossover Day and will be voted on by the House in the coming weeks.
OHM’s Position: Georgians need all the protection from coal ash we can get. Unfortunately, the strongest bills, HB 756 and SB 297, did not pass out of committee. We support the passage of all coal ash bills before midnight on Crossover Day.
How you can help: Contact to urge your Representative to support SB 123 and all coal ash bills.
I tagged Representative Mickey Stephens for that, too!
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The issue: Offshore Drilling.
HR 88: Georgia is the only state on the east coast with a Governor who has not officially commented on plans to drill for oil off our coast. Last year, twin resolutions in support of Georgia’s coastal tourism industry and opposition to offshore drilling were introduced in both the House of Representatives and Senate. The House overwhelmingly passed their version of the resolution, but unfortunately, the Senate Natural Resources Committee would not even hold a hearing on the resolution. Because this is the second year of a two-year session, we have 40 more days for the Senate to pass this important resolution.
How You Can Help: Contact Georgia’s executive team and your Senators and ask them to support SR 88.
Done! From Lt. Governor Duncan to that hefty list of Senators who were elected by coastal counties, I'll be watching their actions, not just their words.
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The issue: Protection of the Satilla River.
SB 384: Brantley County has worked hard to protect residents from the environmental and public health risks associated with placing a landfill too close to the river. SB 384, introduced by Senator William Ligon (R-Brunswick), would support their ongoing efforts. This bill would also protect hundreds of miles of the Satilla watershed in southeast Georgia, including in Coffee, Ware, Pierce, Atkinson, Brantley, Charlton, and Camden counties. SB 384 would not affect timber, agriculture, development, or residential activities or development.
OHM’s Position: We support the passage of SB 384.
URGENT: This bill will be voted on tomorrow! Contact your Senator and urge him/her to support SB 384.
Done! (Sadly, I did not capture the names of those I contacted, but I will be watching.)
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Now, to wait for the next update and call to action!
I am delighted to be part of this voice to our government.
Hallelujah!
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