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04 LC 25 3604
House Resolution
1419
By: Representatives Heath of the 18th, McCall of the 78th, Smith of the 87th, Buckner of the 109th, Manning of the 32nd, and others
By: Representatives Heath of the 18th, McCall of the 78th, Smith of the 87th, Buckner of the 109th, Manning of the 32nd, and others
A RESOLUTION
Creating the House Septage Disposal Study Committee; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS, there are approximately 2 million active individual on-site waste-water treatment systems or septic tanks located in the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, to maintain the environmental integrity of those systems, they should be pumped out on a regular basis; and
WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has recognized that these systems are a viable cost effective and long-term option for meeting public health and water quality goals, particularly in less densely populated areas as in a great part of Georgia when they are adequately managed; and
WHEREAS, there are some municipalities and counties in Georgia that do not provide a facility for the disposal of septage within their jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the individuals and companies engaged in the business of pumping out these systems do not have reasonable options for the disposal of this septage; and
WHEREAS, in many instances, there are problems of disposing of septage in creeks, streams, rivers, and on unimproved land since facilities are not made available; and
WHEREAS, this is a significant problem that has the potential to be a major health and environmental hazard if it is not addressed in the very near future; and
WHEREAS, it is improper to require a municipality or county to accept waste without being allowed to charge an appropriate fee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created the House Septage Disposal Study Committee to be composed of ten members. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint two members of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee and two members of the House State Planning and Community Affairs Committee as members of the committee and shall designate one of such members as chairperson. In addition to legislative members, the study committee shall also include one representative from the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, one representative from the Georgia Municipal Association, one representative from the Georgia Onsite Wastewater Association, one representative from the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources, one representative from the Public Health Division of the Department of Human Resources, and one representative from the Sierra Club, all of whom shall be appointed by the presidents, directors, or commissioners of their respective organizations. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. Members of the committee who are state officials, other than legislative members, and state employees shall receive no compensation for their services on the committee, but they shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties as members of the committee in the same manner as they are reimbursed for expenses in their capacities as state officials or employees. The funds necessary for the reimbursement of the expenses of state officials, other than legislative members, and state employees shall come from funds appropriated to or otherwise available to their respective departments. Except as otherwise provided in this resolution, all funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds appropriated to the House of Representatives. The expenses and allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than ten days unless additional days are authorized. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2004. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2004.
WHEREAS, there are approximately 2 million active individual on-site waste-water treatment systems or septic tanks located in the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, to maintain the environmental integrity of those systems, they should be pumped out on a regular basis; and
WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has recognized that these systems are a viable cost effective and long-term option for meeting public health and water quality goals, particularly in less densely populated areas as in a great part of Georgia when they are adequately managed; and
WHEREAS, there are some municipalities and counties in Georgia that do not provide a facility for the disposal of septage within their jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the individuals and companies engaged in the business of pumping out these systems do not have reasonable options for the disposal of this septage; and
WHEREAS, in many instances, there are problems of disposing of septage in creeks, streams, rivers, and on unimproved land since facilities are not made available; and
WHEREAS, this is a significant problem that has the potential to be a major health and environmental hazard if it is not addressed in the very near future; and
WHEREAS, it is improper to require a municipality or county to accept waste without being allowed to charge an appropriate fee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created the House Septage Disposal Study Committee to be composed of ten members. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint two members of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee and two members of the House State Planning and Community Affairs Committee as members of the committee and shall designate one of such members as chairperson. In addition to legislative members, the study committee shall also include one representative from the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, one representative from the Georgia Municipal Association, one representative from the Georgia Onsite Wastewater Association, one representative from the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources, one representative from the Public Health Division of the Department of Human Resources, and one representative from the Sierra Club, all of whom shall be appointed by the presidents, directors, or commissioners of their respective organizations. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. Members of the committee who are state officials, other than legislative members, and state employees shall receive no compensation for their services on the committee, but they shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties as members of the committee in the same manner as they are reimbursed for expenses in their capacities as state officials or employees. The funds necessary for the reimbursement of the expenses of state officials, other than legislative members, and state employees shall come from funds appropriated to or otherwise available to their respective departments. Except as otherwise provided in this resolution, all funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds appropriated to the House of Representatives. The expenses and allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than ten days unless additional days are authorized. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2004. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2004.