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Dear Summer,
Welcome to the Georgia Conservation Voters
Legislative Newsletter. This letter will be
circulated frequently during the 2006 legislative
session in efforts to keep you abreast on issues of
particular interest to you
on environmental legislation.
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Valentine's Day at the Capitol
Green Legislation Gets Some Love
February 14th proved to be a productive day at the
Capitol. That is, of course, if you happen to be
interested in environmental legislation. It was a
busy Valentine's Day indeed, with seven
scheduled committee meetings discussing everything
from methyl tertiary-butyl ether to desalinized
water.
The morning began at 8:30 with a House
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee meeting
that saw the unanimous passing of HB 983, which
prohibits the manufacturing, blending, or storing
any gasoline containing methyl tertiary-butyl ether
(MTBE). It also prohibits the sale or distribution
of any gasoline containing more than one-half of 1%
MTBE by volume.
Later in the day, energized by overconsumption of
Valentine's Day chocolate, the Senate Finance
Committee passed HB 1107, the Georgia Conservation
Tax Credit, and HB 194, a bill remaining from last
session, championed by GCV, that would offer income
tax credits to businesses who create home offices
for teleworking employees. Both these bills pass
now to Senate Rules.
Find the bills...
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Georgia Conservation Voters (GCV) is a non-partisan
citizens' organization dedicated to protecting
Georgia's environment and the health of all
Georgians by advocating in the legislature and in
the media for strong environmental protections;
helping to elect conservation-minded leaders to
Georgia's General Assembly and selected local races;
and by holding our elected officials accountable for
how well they worked to protect and restore
Georgia's environment.
Sincerely,
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On Monday, February 13th, SB 453, which requires
that state agencies, city and county governments,
and local school systems use at least 2 percent
biodiesel for their fuel by the year 2008, passed
the Senate 52-4 and now heads to the House.
Sponsored by Senator Kemp, the bill had previously
mandated the 2 percent blend be used by 2010.
However, it was determined that the use of biodiesel
was more feasible than expected. The bill does
provide an exemption for using biodiesel if it is
unavailable or costs over 5 percent more than
regular diesel.
