Bill Text: GA HB578 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Wells and drinking water; permits to use ground water; change certain provisions

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-03-03 - House Second Readers [HB578 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HB578-Introduced.html

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09 LC 25 5538

House Bill 578

By: Representatives Stephens of the 164th and McCall of the 30th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to wells and drinking water, so as to change certain provisions relating to permits to withdraw, obtain, or use ground water; to change certain provisions relating to permits for operation of public water systems and performance bonds; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to wells and drinking water, is amended in Code Section 12-5-96, relating to permits to withdraw, obtain, or use ground water, by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"(i) Subject to review and approval by the director, any holder of a permit under this Code section who can certify a reduction in water consumed after January 1, 2009, as a result of the initial installation and use of meters on a ground-water system permitted prior to the effective date of this subsection shall be eligible to transfer 50 percent of the saved ground-water capacity to another such permit held by the same permittee, provided that 50 percent of the saved ground-water capacity shall be returned to the state. If approved, such transferable permit capacity shall be transferred only to the same permit holder within the same county or in an adjacent county and shall not be transferred to another ownership entity, the director shall adjust the permits accordingly, and the reduction in the existing permit shall be a cap on that permit."

SECTION 2.

Said article is further amended in Code Section 12-5-179, relating to permits for operation of public water systems and performance bonds, by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"(h) Subject to review and approval by the director, any holder of a permit under this Code section who can certify a reduction in water consumed after January 1, 2009, as a result of the initial installation and use of meters on a drinking water system permitted prior to the effective date of this subsection shall be eligible to transfer 50 percent of the saved drinking water capacity to another such permit held by the same permittee, provided that 50 percent of the saved drinking water capacity shall be returned to the state. If approved, such transferable permit capacity shall be transferred only to the same permit holder within the same county or in an adjacent county and shall not be transferred to another ownership entity, the director shall adjust the permits accordingly, and the reduction in the existing permit shall be a cap on that permit."

SECTION 3.

This Act shall become effective on the first day of the month following the month in which it is approved by the Governor or in which it becomes law without such approval.

SECTION 4.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.