05 LC 9
1603S
Senators
Thompson of the 33rd and Reed of the 35th offered the following substitute to HB
98:
LOST
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Code Section 36-22-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to definitions concerning community greenspace preservation, so as to include
land used as or dedicated for use as a cemetery within the definition of
greenspace for a limited purpose; to provide for related matters; to provide an
effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Code
Section 36-22-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
definitions concerning community greenspace preservation, is amended by striking
paragraph (3) and inserting in lieu thereof a new paragraph (3) to read as
follows:
"(3)
'Greenspace' means permanently protected land and water, including agricultural
and forestry land, that is in its undeveloped, natural state or that has been
developed only to the extent consistent with, or is restored to be consistent
with, one or more of the following goals:
(A)
Water quality protection for rivers, streams, and lakes;
(B)
Flood protection;
(C)
Wetlands protection;
(D)
Reduction of erosion through protection of steep slopes, areas with erodible
soils, and stream banks;
(E)
Protection of riparian buffers and other areas that serve as natural habitat and
corridors for native plant and animal species;
(F)
Scenic protection;
(G)
Protection of
archaeological
archeological
and historic resources;
(H)
Provision of recreation in the form of boating, hiking, camping, fishing,
hunting, running, jogging, biking, walking, and similar outdoor activities;
and
(I)
Connection of existing or planned areas contributing to the goals set out in
this paragraph.
For
the limited purpose of calculating the amount of greenspace a greenspace program
seeks to protect permanently pursuant to Code Section 36-22-6, greenspace shall
also include land that is used as or is dedicated for use as a cemetery.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this chapter, the inclusion as greenspace
of land used or dedicated for use as a cemetery shall not interfere with the
burial rights of human remains, the designation of dedicated cemetery property,
or cemetery development as provided in Chapter 14 of Title 10, the 'Georgia
Cemetery and Funeral Services Act of
2000.'"
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.