Citizen Whip Report Legislative Day 30

“Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy driving taxis and cutting hair.” — George Burns

The only thing on the House Rules Calendar today is the Big Budget. some $72B in all divvyed up across all kinds of things. You can find out all of the gory details here.

The Senate has a trio of House Bills that are being considered, here they are:

Senate Bills & Resolutions

HB 287 – Environmental Protection Division; Game and Fish; Hunting and Fishing Licenses

• Primary Sponsor: Rhodes (124th)
• Committee Assignment: Natural Resources & Environment (NR&E-24th)
• Summary: This bill updates various provisions related to environmental regulations, game and fish laws, and hunting and fishing licenses in Georgia. Key changes include:
  • Updating reference dates for environmental and game laws.
  • Providing courtesy hunting and fishing licenses for disabled individuals.
  • Changing the eligibility age for the special turkey hunting season for young and mobility-impaired hunters.
  • Establishing fees for resident shellfish crew licenses.
• Definitions & Key Terms:
  • Courtesy Hunting & Fishing Licenses: Special licenses issued at no cost to eligible disabled individuals for use during approved events.
  • Mobility-Impaired Hunters: Individuals verified to have permanent mobility impairments such as paraplegia or single-leg amputation above the knee.
  • Shellfish Crew License: A new license category for commercial shellfish harvesters.
• New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
  • Environmental & Game Law References:
    • From: January 1, 2024
    • To: January 1, 2025
    • Applies to regulations set by the Board of Natural Resources for environmental protection, game, and fish laws.
  • Courtesy Hunting & Fishing Licenses:
    • From: No prior provision for hunting licenses.
    • To: Allows the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue courtesy resident and nonresident hunting and fishing licenses to paralyzed or disabled veterans participating in nonprofit-sponsored events.
  • Special Turkey Hunting Season:
    • From: Limited to hunters under 16 years old.
    • To: Expanded to hunters 16 years old and younger and mobility-impaired hunters.
  • Shellfish Crew License Fees:
    • From: No dedicated shellfish crew license.
    • To: Establishes new fees:
      • $200 per year for up to 10 harvesters.
      • $400 per year for unlimited harvesters.
• Who is Affected & How:
  • Disabled Veterans & Mobility-Impaired Individuals: Gain access to no-cost hunting and fishing licenses for nonprofit events.
  • Commercial Shellfish Harvesters: Must obtain a new crew license to legally operate.
  • General Hunting Community: Expanded eligibility for youth turkey hunting season.
  • State Agencies & Law Enforcement: Must enforce updated regulations.
• Penalties & Enforcement: Enforced through the Department of Natural Resources and other state regulatory agencies.
• Implementation & Effective Date: Likely effective upon signature by the governor.

HR 97 – Property; Conveyance of Certain State-Owned Property; Authorize

• Primary Sponsor: Greene (154th)
• Committee Assignment: State Institutions & Property (SI&P-15th)
• Summary: This resolution authorizes the conveyance of specific state-owned properties located in multiple counties, including Bryan, Colquitt, Fulton, Glynn, Habersham, Hall, and Henry.
• Definitions & Key Terms:
  • Conveyance: The legal process of transferring property ownership.
  • State-Owned Property: Land and buildings owned by the state of Georgia.
• New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
  • No Changes to the Existing Process:
    • The resolution follows the standard procedure for property conveyance, where the legislature must specifically approve each transfer through a resolution.
    • This bill does not alter the overall process but grants approval for the listed properties to be conveyed.
• Who is Affected & How:
  • State agencies managing the properties.
  • Recipients of the transferred property, which may include local governments, private buyers, or other entities.
• Penalties & Enforcement: Not applicable.
• Implementation & Effective Date: Effective upon passage.

HR 98 – Property; Granting of Nonexclusive Easements; Authorize

• Primary Sponsor: Greene (154th)
• Committee Assignment: State Institutions & Property (SI&P-15th)
• Summary: This resolution authorizes the granting of nonexclusive easements on state-owned property to Georgia Power and other entities.
• Definitions & Key Terms:
  • Nonexclusive Easement: A legal right to use a portion of land without exclusive control over it.
  • Georgia Power: The largest electric utility in Georgia, responsible for energy distribution and infrastructure.
• New Requirements or Changes to Existing Law:
  • Authorizes the granting of easements where none previously existed or where easement rights were restricted, allowing expanded or clarified access for specific entities.
  • Easements will primarily be used for power transmission, utility infrastructure improvements, and maintenance access for Georgia Power.
• Who is Affected & How:
  • Georgia Power: Gains access to state-owned land to expand or maintain its power infrastructure.
  • State Agencies: Must coordinate with easement holders on land use.
  • Residents & Businesses: Could see improved electrical reliability due to new power infrastructure projects.
• Penalties & Enforcement: Not applicable.
• Implementation & Effective Date: Effective upon passage.