Georgia House bill by Rep. Corbett on solid waste management, permitting and compliance passes House and Senate

Newly passed bill authored by State Rep. John Corbett aims to revise Georgia’s solid waste management laws, update permitting processes, and ensure compliance with local and state waste reduction goals after winning approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Monday, March 31, clearing the House by a vote of 163-0 and the Senate by a vote of 47-0.

The bill, introduced as HB351 on Monday, Feb. 10 during the 2025 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Board of Natural Resources; modify powers and duties’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends provisions in the Official Code of Georgia regarding solid waste management, specifically modifying the powers of the Board of Natural Resources, revising definitions, and altering solid waste permitting processes. It mandates written verification of compliance with local zoning and land use regulations, facilitates public meetings, and modernizes terminology. Changes include updating procedures for issuing permits and handling permit modifications, specifying requirements for financial responsibility, and addressing planning and waste reduction strategies. The bill also revises the reporting requirements for waste management plans and landfill operations. It seeks to ensure comprehensive compliance with state-wide waste reduction goals. The act becomes effective on January 1, 2026.

In the House, 70 Democrats and 93 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 18 Democrats and 29 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Chas Cannon (Republican-172nd), Rep. Robert Dickey (Republican-134th), and Rep. Lynn Smith (Republican-70th), along with two other co-sponsors.

Corbett, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2015 to represent the state’s 174th House District, replacing previous state representative C. Ellis Black.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday, May 14.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.