2012 Legislative Preview

The Georgia General Assembly gavels to a start in Atlanta on Monday, January 9, for the second year of the two-year term. The economy and appropriation of the state budget will again dominate the discussions and debate during the legislative session. Leaders in the state House and Senate are also proposing their versions of tax reform, which stalled during last year's legislative session. Bills and resolutions that did not pass last session are eligible for consideration this year.

The Georgia Conservancy successfully passed legislation last year that makes the state land conservation tax credit transferable, allowing landowners with conservation tax credits to sell them on the open market to Georgia taxpayers. As all tax measures are discussed this year, we will continue to defend the land conservation tax credit. This tax credit is critical when helping landowners protect their property forever, and allowing for its transferability gives landowners who may not have income tax liability a financial incentive to pursue land conservation for their property.

The Georgia Conservancy will be following water issues closely this year. Our organization has spent the past few months advocating the need for a statewide water monitoring network. We must create a system that provides the water pollution and flow data needed for policy decisions affecting our water resources. We will continue to fight for water policy that favors conservation over construction of new reservoirs. While we acknowledge that prioritizing “capture” is important for some communities, the state should continue to incentivize conservation when considering water supply needs.

The Georgia Conservancy will also work to ensure that our solid waste trust fund and our hazardous waste trust fund monies are spent for their intended use and not diverted to other uses. We are asking that the General Assembly put the “trust” back into the trust funds.

In addition, we will advocate for funding to continue the work of our regional water councils, funding for our state parks and historic sites, and funding for land conservation. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Kelly, Will Wingate or Leah Barnett. Our team will continue to fight for a Georgia where “people and the environment thrive.”

*If you would likely to sign up for weekly updates during the legislative session, click here and check the Advocacy box when signing up. If you have already signed up with the Georgia Conservancy and want to receive legislative updates as well, email Coleman Wood at cwood@gaconservancy.org.