[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6360579,"mediaKeyId","2174489-a111a042e16c1a5f01f8b11480757be9","parentId",2174489,"title","House Natural Resources Committee adopts 2025–26 rules unchanged from 2024","audioSeconds",67,"startMs",1378000,"endMs",1445000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174489-a111a042e16c1a5f01f8b11480757be9&start=1378&end=1445","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174489-a111a042e16c1a5f01f8b11480757be9/thumbnail_1378000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6360579/Georgia/House-Natural-Resources-Committee-adopts-202526-rules-unchanged-from-2024","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360579-181613060abcf3d360efc7418739f0ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770614541&Signature=kYZWfCOdU9xWzBgqFA3oKKqpbeoqBSQ49TVrenJspx8J5AxZWNnSTJ2DvXpR2w8IfTfwN-YOQbLqXtAkPR1dfky3A01Xuysk8xJ~RVu2KR5YK-w0M2tiL6X3U5S7RH~gFtYxESEMJyrvizkLxqUSWeEB2Ppu20pTBxCcGcUnj56x86vHRLDGh3ly8TYd9bqxOzESOEWrbZW1YfUMd6XWsnroFp~08UBp~16STdQjy-SCHJvND0WE9VVr95WFNXpwuCr6o2sWnLaDkrA6Wku2QvF6WxLh36Tuv17e9o0tUlLwBcP1kx1bQTIrlLbZqL7-8Y4LP9YIDKjbb1Q9a17L7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Georgia State Legislature ","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","The House Natural Resources & Environment Committee voted to adopt its 2025–2026 rules at the start of the first meeting of 2025, the chair announced.

The chair asked members to review the rules, described them as unchanged from 2024 and recognized a motion and a second. \"All those in favor, please signify by saying aye,\" the chair said. Members responded \"Aye.\" The chair then asked if there were any opposed; no opposition was recorded.

Details of the motion and the second were not named on the record during the meeting. The committee chair said members would receive supporting documents by email and that the rules have served the committee well in prior sessions.

Why it matters: Committee rules govern procedures, debate and how the panel conducts oversight and hearings through the legislative session. Lawmakers and staff will receive copies and have the chance to raise questions during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","01.30.25 Natural Resources & Environment","oneSentenceSummary","The House Natural Resources & Environment Committee voted to adopt its 2025–2026 rules, which the chair said are unchanged from the prior session; a motion and second were recorded and the committee voted 'aye' with no recorded opposition.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Georgia , Georgia","taxId",77688,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360583,"Georgia Forestry Commission warns of elevated wildfire risks after Hurricane Helene; describes response and prescribed-fire work",709,3859000,4568000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174489-a111a042e16c1a5f01f8b11480757be9&start=3859&end=4568","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174489-a111a042e16c1a5f01f8b11480757be9/thumbnail_3859000.jpg","/articles/6360583/Georgia/Georgia-Forestry-Commission-warns-of-elevated-wildfire-risks-after-Hurricane-Helene-describes-response-and-prescribed-fire-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360583-0a9cef9de8e2ab2c383724df070f573c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770614541&Signature=VqtK9Bu~-lau9isOghofl9vuBMl54e3Mt1JJtf2CIFt-op3RaZL6-wOUshCOCW5r1TVVINrO1oPEkWxb5u1oyERlOO9-XunwOQj79vVBio01vwj0RAcFBKN~dBdtKk9HK~P2Xsnnk4mP7Ia55DHdBgI3O0nugXTmdv7C-TUoqxEFoL11oh1NxNIZIE0rx4mmjpTdZFkDyShvDzgBYPCagzNgSiJzISvWA24p1Fcd7WlZxwHxIex~0C7P51hAjN8WEF7U53tnw1AZnsy-td146FB19vNOPiOM04XMZ1rSdUZNmL-qVM3oj4SQuFiP6EdFQDnYz6i-PbmBBVwHzHhnuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnny Sabo, director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, told the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee that the commission functions principally as an emergency-response organization and briefed members on post-hurricane risks, firefighting capacity and prevention strategies.

Sabo said the commission employs about 524 people, roughly 400 of whom are emergency responders or wildland firefighters. \"We are an emergency response agency at heart,\" he said, and described a rapid response during Hurricane Helene that included clearing 40,000 miles of roads and conducting damage assessments to quantify timber losses. He said those operations were completed without injuries.

Sabo warned that the downed timber and increased fuels left by Helene will raise fire complexity and response times in affected regions. He gave examples: an incident that once took 30 minutes to contain is now taking five hours in debris-filled areas, and he predicted that equipment, tactics and response plans must evolve to address larger fuels and altered fuel beds.

Prevention measures Sabo highlighted include installing firebreaks and increasing prescribed burning. He said the commission oversaw about 25,000 miles of firebreak installation last year and that the state recorded roughly 1.5 million acres treated with prescribed fire across public and private lands. He said private landowners carry much of the cost: federal cost-share pays for only a small fraction of private prescribed-burn acreage.

Sabo also described the commission’s wildfire law-enforcement unit, which investigates arson and timber theft, and community programs such as Firewise USA and Community Wildfire Protection Plans to reduce structure vulnerability. He urged a proactive, \"offensive\" approach to fuels management rather than relying solely on reactive firefighting as the state adapts to post-hurricane conditions.

Why it matters: Large storm events can leave extensive fuels that increase wildfire risk for years after the storm. Sabo told members that proactive fuel reduction, prescribed fire and community planning are key to preventing catastrophic wildfire and protecting homes and private timber resources.","Johnny Sabo, director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, told the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee the agency is an emergency-response organization with roughly 400 wildland firefighters, described Hurricane Helene recovery work and urged increased firebreaks and prescribed burns to reduce future fire risk.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360586,"GEFA frames itself as state infrastructure bank; highlights $249 million DOE grid resilience grant",269,3266000,3535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174489-a111a042e16c1a5f01f8b11480757be9&start=3266&end=3535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174489-a111a042e16c1a5f01f8b11480757be9/thumbnail_3266000.jpg","/articles/6360586/Georgia/GEFA-frames-itself-as-state-infrastructure-bank-highlights-249-million-DOE-grid-resilience-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360586-09dd77d6658b3150e53b5b1ccb355825/orig.mp4?Expires=1770614541&Signature=h8nlvQNaIZCbRNR3u6tBcz4VW~nnSV3VQFY8oQOJSnTcKKquzqE2-VSU9WyyO-jfMjVIIEsS2R~ydt3fVH1F0eLxP7IkY4fcdHCW4GSLEpwqenXZAbJjzOyp~X0XilDfP~ZwKMMvXkaXzME9j4~rKcoSiGVLV0JhoCGhr9ZPv0QtyiPxviV-Jdhll9~G5bncPxSnQ3ZUtviargHYZST91mXl15sOpDwMnom4kyeWHjQEaUrvRisC-dLaDCOgX7hy29YjB3jJ28RqJ8AVSCj~RQr40uxEaYN72NK77~v-uYnQ-hZmL8KD98BLKa2HxP5pS4OTa0y~JToS9Mi-PC~wVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hunter Hill, speaking for the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), described the agency as the state's infrastructure bank and told the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee that GEFA provides below-market loans and technical support for local water and wastewater projects.

\"One of the best ways to think of us is...you have EPD who regulates the environment, and oftentimes we partner with your local communities to provide the financing solutions,\" Hill said, describing GEFA’s water financing programs and the state-funded Georgia Fund used for economic development projects that federal programs cannot support.

On energy resilience, Hill highlighted a recent DOE award under the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program. He said GEFA and partners won a Department of Energy grant \"for 249,000,000 and it was a 50/50 cost share,\" and that Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Transmission and EMCs were expected to contribute matching funds. He said the project aims to upgrade transmission and distribution to improve resiliency, with an emphasis on disadvantaged census tracts in the southwest part of the state.

Hill also summarized federal programs GEFA administers or implements for local governments, including the State Energy Program, Weatherization Assistance and various energy rebate pilots. He said GEFA runs loan programs intended to help smaller and disadvantaged communities that cannot access private capital markets.

Why it matters: GEFA’s financing terms and technical assistance affect how local governments plan and pay for water and energy infrastructure, particularly in smaller or disadvantaged jurisdictions that rely on GEFA loans and federal-state programs for upgrades and resilience projects.","Hunter Hill, representing the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, described GEFA's role in financing water, wastewater and energy projects and discussed a Department of Energy Grid Resilience grant for $249 million tied to a 50/50 cost share with utilities and cooperatives.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360588,"EPD director briefs committee on air, water and land programs; highlights PFOS testing capacity",479,2579000,3058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174489-a111a042e16c1a5f01f8b11480757be9&start=2579&end=3058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174489-a111a042e16c1a5f01f8b11480757be9/thumbnail_2579000.jpg","/articles/6360588/Georgia/EPD-director-briefs-committee-on-air-water-and-land-programs-highlights-PFOS-testing-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360588-dc6554f1da3965208d430b7489e722cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770614541&Signature=aF3BciEzfZrzYTPRZd9spWUzS94AURilTVLoHgUebhDlMRDVq82JkArIHTqnav6-Pc~BRcRLjj3y4RVjxh-LHc01ACFvEL3Mw0WQbMz1uy9cky0qrMkH~6~6-zuRZvVXarWOz~Bv8WrabX6mfe0V-~66I-YzYILpywP2DYdDDASZS04DtjNHMOeH~wXNy6KMXlEweZx9XIo5qe~GqzBQmf92~axmAZ7l-mosNdWubmOy1T3TgHQrV14agsQMXpJKpsQiQJqwrBT~y0EBHpSSBfTOVl~orx~MqQuXaoHLx0Pf~p0f5PShHtQMefr6Qnf6cuCRK9htDgu19Y6vF~LoLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jeff Cowen, director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, told the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee that EPD’s mission is \"to protect and restore Georgia's environment\" and summarized the agency’s work in watershed protection, air quality, land protection and district operations.

Cowen said EPD operates an environmental laboratory that performs roughly 1,000 samples per week and noted the lab now has the capability to test for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS/PFOS), an emerging concern for drinking water systems. \"The thing we're probably going to continue to talk a little bit about now, new thing is PFOS. And we have the capabilities of testing for PFOS in our laboratory that'll help our local governments,\" Cowen said.

The director described EPD’s regulatory responsibilities: issuing wastewater and stormwater permits, monitoring surface and drinking-water bodies, overseeing air quality and vehicle emissions testing, regulating hazardous and solid wastes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act framework, and responding to spills and complaints through six district offices. He told the committee the agency performs about 4,000 complaint responses a year and coordinates emergency responses to incidents including overturned cargo ships and highway spills.

Why it matters: EPD regulates point-source pollution, air emissions and cleanup of contaminated sites. Cowen emphasized the agency’s role in maintaining attainment designations for pollutants such as ozone and PM2.5 and said new federal requirements and post-pandemic traffic increases require continued attention.

Cowen also listed senior EPD staff lawmakers will encounter: watershed protection chief Anya Tricinski, air protection chief Jim Boylan, land protection chief Chuck Mueller and district operations chief Jim Cooley. He thanked the committee for prior budget support, including funds in the House Ways Trust Fund and the Solid Waste Trust Fund that aid cleanup and remediation work.

Cowen said EPD is recommending to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency steps related to PM2.5 attainment and reiterated the agency’s role in licensing, inspecting and providing technical assistance to regulated entities across the state.","Jeff Cowen, director of Georgia's Environmental Protection Division, told lawmakers the agency enforces air, water and land protections, runs a laboratory capable of PFOS testing, and oversees programs from vehicle emissions to dam safety.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360589,"Georgia DNR gives overview to House committee; confirms first CWD-positive deer found",960,1354000,2314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174489-a111a042e16c1a5f01f8b11480757be9&start=1354&end=2314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174489-a111a042e16c1a5f01f8b11480757be9/thumbnail_1354000.jpg","/articles/6360589/Georgia/Georgia-DNR-gives-overview-to-House-committee-confirms-first-CWD-positive-deer-found","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360589-d7558d78755b01c1fad8bf3896acfc5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770614541&Signature=XhfSSGjIvfq41CxndCBhhq3eGvbDc~WjPEBm1Bc-2U0AZOqiNsGBOz~7thPfp8oPIhVECnF2Z44YxJZhpVXFAaLTlx~B5e9peC55zDnv~M9hLGb2-WhSwhUS89AdGKqhqCHhj3JI2rmNzuF8KWjobADg4WStdWa1z9q~prx8C9G0~rmb1elYokoAajDYss7i6uR06MLxJ3BWTBxidfIscKrBxFd8mNQt0xyqNpQzwl~HaCcqJAFsMkqiACE9YO2ajP3Mly7CQ3nb8XoCbbsjjuTt4TcVsGJ2bYQcRU~OidWiQYrAOiCkM6vxFgMHE-6wowh6E-PwRWe8GjpeTNe2lQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Walter Raven, head of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, told the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee during its first meeting of 2025 that the agency manages more than 1.2 million acres of public land, operates 65 state parks and oversees a broad set of divisions that touch conservation, law enforcement and recreation across the state.

Raven said the department has about 1,900 employees and a budget of about $355,000,000, financed roughly 40% by state funds, 25% by federal grants and 35% by fees and other revenue. \"We touch every part of the state and we touch every Georgian in some shape, form, or fashion through the Department of Natural Resources,\" he said.

The commissioner used the committee appearance to announce a new development in wildlife disease surveillance: confirmation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory that a sample collected from a hunter-harvested deer near the Lanier–Berrien County line tested positive for chronic wasting disease, or CWD. \"We did receive positive confirmation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory that one of our hunter harvested deer tested positive for CWD,\" Raven said. He said the sample was taken as part of routine surveillance and stressed that the department has conducted statewide CWD surveillance since 2002.

Why it matters: CWD is a prion disease that affects cervids and is managed through surveillance, hunter education and targeted response measures. Raven told lawmakers the department will increase public information efforts and testing, and urged Georgians to report sick-appearing deer. He cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance that, while the CDC does not recommend consuming meat from a CWD-positive animal, there has been no documented transmission of CWD to humans.

Raven described the detection as the product of routine surveillance, not a report of a sick animal in the field: \"It was our routine efforts that identified this disease.\" He said the department will treat Lanier and Berrien counties as the current CWD zone and will continue surveillance and hunter outreach through the winter, spring and summer.

The commissioner also summarized DNR divisions for the panel: a coastal resources division that manages shoreline and marine fisheries and administers coastal grants and permits; a law enforcement division of roughly 200 uniformed officers with statewide arrest authority; a state parks and historic sites division that reported 14 million visitors and an estimated $1.6 billion economic impact last year; and a wildlife resources division that operates fish hatcheries, manages game lands and conducts population and harvest surveys.

Raven named deputy commissioners Thomas Bernard and Trevor Santos and said staff at the Wildlife Resources Division were already collecting and testing samples in the field. He directed lawmakers to the department website for additional CWD information and frequently asked questions.","Commissioner Walter Raven told the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee that the Department of Natural Resources manages parks, fisheries, law enforcement and other divisions across Georgia and announced that a hunter-harvested deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Natural Resources Committee adopts 2025–26 rules unchanged from 2024

Georgia Forestry Commission warns of elevated wildfire risks after Hurricane Helene; describes response and prescribed-fire work

GEFA frames itself as state infrastructure bank; highlights $249 million DOE grid resilience grant

EPD director briefs committee on air, water and land programs; highlights PFOS testing capacity

Georgia DNR gives overview to House committee; confirms first CWD-positive deer found