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HBill.html
01
LC 9 0706S
(SCS)
Senate Bill
95
By: Senators Ragan of the 11th, Smith of
the 25th, James of the 35th, Seabaugh of the
28th, Williams of the 6th and others
AS PASSED SENATE
A BILL TO BE
ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 2 of the Official
Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to soil and water conservation districts, so
as to create the Agricultural Water Conservation Incentive Program; to provide
for a purpose and participation; to provide for priorities; to provide a
noninclusive list of projects acceptable for assistance; 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 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 2 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to soil and water conservation districts, is amended
by adding a new Code section at the end thereof, to be designated Code Section
2-6-52, to read as
follows:
"2-6-52.
(a)
There is created the Agricultural Water Conservation Incentive Program. The
program shall be developed, implemented, and supervised by the State Soil and
Water Conservation Commission.
(b) The purpose of the
program shall be to provide incentives to agricultural producers to foster water
conservation and enhance water quality.
(c)
Participation in the program shall be voluntary.
(d)
The program shall include all 159 counties and 40 soil and water conservation
districts.
(e) Priority designations for inclusion in
the program shall be under the authority of the State Soil and Water
Conservation Commission.
(f) Areas shall be included
in the program as the funds are appropriated and the technical assistance
becomes available from the local soil and water conservation district or the
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
(g)
Funding may be provided to assist practices including but not limited to
diversions, filter strips, fencing along streams, field borders, alternative
watering systems, critical area plantings, grassed waterways, terraces,
surface-water retention structures, heavy-use areas, closures of lagoons,
riparian buffers or equivalent controls, animal waste systems and application,
manure stack houses and other waste-holding structures, irrigation system
enhancements, and other projects that foster water conservation and enhance
water quality.
(h) Priority designation for inclusion
in this program for state funding shall be given to projects that foster water
conservation and enhance water quality. To be eligible for cost share funds
under this Code section, a project shall be evaluated before funding is awarded
and after the project is completed to determine the impact on water
quality."
SECTION 2.
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the
Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are
repealed.