The Georgia General Assembly closed out Week Five rolling into Valentine’s Day and there was quite a bit of action on a handful of bills SREA is tracking including:
- House Bill 320 by Rep. Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown), which seeks to add regulations focused on the recycling of Solar Panels after they are damaged or decommissioned. HB 320 passed the House Natural Resources Committee and now awaits action in the House Rules Committee.
- House Bill 1133, sponsored by Agriculture Chair Robert Dickey (R-Musella), aims to enable the Georgia Environmental Finance Commission (GEFA) to allow local governments to invest in placing solar installments on closed landfills. HB 1133 passed the House Governmental Affairs Committee, and is now in the Rules Committee where it hopes to make the House Floor.
- House Bill 1063, by Chairman Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs), is aimed at protecting residential and retail electricity customers in Georgia from bearing the costs associated with data center construction, and operation demand and infrastructure investments. Although very similar to Senate Bill 34, HB 1063 seems to have a bit more momentum as House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) and Americans for Prosperity have held public rallies in support of the measure. HB 1063 is in the House Rules Committee.
- Senate Bill 94, by Chairman Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) seeks to add an appointed consumer advocate to the Public Service Commission. SB 94 was heard on Tuesday, Feb. 17 in the Senate Regulated Industries committee where it received significant debate. Senator Hufstetler answered rounds of questions, most of which focused on consumer affordability and current PSC procedures. The committee also heard from former Republican PSC Commissioner Bobby Baker, who spoke in favor of the measure. Baker articulated how a consumer advocate is absolutely vital to the intervening process, and gave the history of budget constraints which led to the consumer advocate panel removal in 2008. SB 94 passed Regulated Industries by an 8-3 vote and is now in the Senate Rules Committee.
- Senate Resolution 482, sponsored by Senator Tim Bearden (R-Carrollton), would establish a Senate Study Committee on Advanced Nuclear Reactors. The Committee would consist of five Senate members, one House member, two members of the Public Service Commission, and six utility representatives (two from Georgia Power, two from EMCs, and two from MEAG). SR 482 unanimously cleared the Regulated Industries Committee and now proceeds to the Senate Rules Committee for approval. As a Senate Resolution, it requires passage only in the chamber of origin.
Political Power
Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore (R-Marietta) announced on Tuesday that she does not intend to run for re-election to the PSC. Pridemore is rumored to be considering running to replace Barry Loudermilk in Congressional District 11. No one has officially announced for PSC, but we are keeping a close ear to the ground on potential candidates.
The Georgia Republican Gubernatorial primary continues to percolate as dueling television and social media ads between Lt. Governor Burt Jones and businessman Rick Jackson invaded airwaves throughout the state over the weekend. Polling has certainly tightened up in this race.
President Trump is set to visit Northwest Georgia to tout his economic plan.
Election Season in the Peach State will officially begin soon, as candidate qualifying for both parties will be held March 1-5. Between the open seats for United States Senate and Governor, the politicking should be quite lively through the Christmas holidays. SREA will keep everyone up to date and informed of legislative engagement opportunities.
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