Environment (Conservation)

passed · Georgia · House Feb 5, 2026

HR 1261: 2026 as the Year of the Georgia Birding Trail; commend

This resolution designates 2026 as the "Year of the Georgia Birding Trail" to commemorate Birds Georgia's 100th anniversary and highlight the economic and ecological value of birding. It urges Georgia citizens to protect bird habitats, learn about local bird species, and support conservation efforts. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but serves as a symbolic recognition of birding's role in tourism and environmental health. It directly affects residents, conservation groups, and tourism stakeholders by promoting engagement with bird conservation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill urges habitat protection, conservation efforts, and highlights ecological value of birding without funding or new laws, aligning with conservation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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signed · Georgia · House May 11, 2026

HB 1277: Conservation and natural resources; increase project cost threshold for public roads or airports requiring environmental evaluations

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 16 of Title 12 and Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to environmental policy and highways, bridges, and ferries, respectively, so as to increase the project cost threshold for public roads or airports requiring environmental evaluations; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentIncreases project cost threshold for environmental evaluations, reducing required reviews for smaller road/airport projects and weakening environmental oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

passed · Georgia · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 547: Revenue and taxation; bona fide conservation use property; permit combination of multiple covenants into a single, new, ten-year covenant

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to permit the combination of multiple covenants of a single owner into a single, new, ten-year covenant; to provide for exceptions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill modifies tax assessment for conservation property, creating preferential valuation to reduce tax burden - provides tax relief through revised covenant rules85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables consolidation of conservation covenants for preferential tax assessment, facilitating long-term land conservation under Georgia's conservation property program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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signed · Georgia · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 306: Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; impending expiration to be sent via certified mail; require notices

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to require notices of impending expiration to be sent via certified mail; to provide for the reinstatement of certain covenants and preferential assessments in certain limited circumstances; to provide for appeals and refunds; to prohibit additional fees or interest; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill maintains tax incentives for conservation use property via proper notice and reinstatement, directly supporting conservation efforts without weakening protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

signed · Georgia · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 59: Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; a limitation on leased property; remove

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to remove a limitation on leased property as to certain entities; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRemoves limitation on leased property for conservation tax assessment, reducing potential state tax revenue.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves limitation on leased property for conservation use, expanding opportunities for conservation efforts under Georgia's preferential assessment program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

passed · Georgia · Senate Feb 21, 2025

SB 45: Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation; increase

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to increase the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property; to provide for related matters; to provide for a contingent effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill expands tax exemption acreage for conservation property, reducing state tax revenue by lowering assessment rates for qualifying land.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases maximum acreage for conservation property tax benefits, incentivizing land preservation and aligning with environmental conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Conservation

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passed · Georgia · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SR 56: Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation; increase -CA

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to increase the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesIncreases acreage threshold for conservation property tax exemption, reducing state tax revenue by expanding tax-advantaged land use.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases acreage limit for conservation tax benefits, directly promoting land conservation under environmental protection framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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introduced · Georgia · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 561: Okefenokee Protection Act; enact

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to surface mining, so as to prohibit the director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Natural Resources Department from issuing, modifying, or renewing any permit or accepting any bond to conduct surface mining operations on Trail Ridge for future permit applications and amendments; to provide a definition; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits surface mining permits on Trail Ridge (Okefenokee Swamp area), directly protecting wetland ecosystem from potential habitat destruction and pollution per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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in committee · Georgia · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SR 55: Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation; increase -CA

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to increase the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesIncreases acreage limit for conservation tax assessment, reducing state tax revenue by expanding tax-exempt land qualifications.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases acreage limit for conservation tax assessment, incentivizing land conservation and aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Georgia · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SB 43: Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation; increase

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to increase the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation as a bona fide conservation use property; to provide for related matters; to provide for a contingent effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill increases tax exemption acreage for conservation land, reducing state tax revenue through preferential assessment. Creates tax break aligning with 'oppose' indicators for Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases acreage limit for conservation property tax assessment, encouraging land conservation and protecting natural resources through expanded tax incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Conservation

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