Legislation to broaden Georgia Solid Waste Trust Fund uses passes in both chambers

A bill sponsored by Rep. John Corbett expands the permissible uses of Georgia’s Solid Waste Trust Fund to support statewide solid waste management, while still preserving emergency and preventive action provisions, according to the Georgia State House.

The legislation was approved by both chambers on Thursday, March 12, receiving a 159-3 vote in the House and a 45-1 vote in the Senate.

Introduced as HB956 on Tuesday, Jan. 13 during the 2026 session of the 158th General Assembly, the measure was officially titled: ’Solid Waste Trust Fund; authorize use of funds for implementation of provisions of a solid waste management program’.

Here is a summary based on the bill text, which includes explanation to clarify certain aspects.

The bill authorizes expanded uses for Georgia’s Solid Waste Trust Fund, making funds available to apply across implementation of a new statewide management program. Permitted activities now explicitly include permitting, monitoring, developing guidance, performing inspections and enforcement. It continues to allow established purposes such as acting in emergencies to protect public health when contaminants are released, addressing issues at facilities whose owners will not take corrective measures, providing postclosure care after five years, handling scrap tire management, and other previously recognized uses in state law.

House approval included 67 Democrat and 92 Republican votes in support, with one Democrat and two Republicans voting no.

Senate passage saw 17 Democrats and 28 Republicans in favor, and one Republican in opposition.

HB956 was co-sponsored by Rep. Chas Cannon (Republican-172nd), Rep. Lynn Smith (Republican-70th), and Sen. Russ Goodman (Republican-8th).

Rep. Corbett, a Republican, began representing Georgia’s 174th House District in 2015 following his election as successor to C. Ellis Black.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill into law on Wednesday, May 6.

In Georgia, the legislative process starts with a lawmaker working with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill, typically responding to a constituent request. Once submitted to the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill is first read and sent to committee for further review. If the committee approves, it advances to the floor for additional readings, debate, and a formal vote. The bill must then pass both chambers, with a potential conference committee if differences arise, and go to the governor, who has six days during session or 40 days after adjournment to act on the bill. The General Assembly convenes annually starting the second Monday of January for a 40-day session.

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