06 LC
25 4331
Senate
Resolution 818
By:
Senators Bulloch of the 11th, Tolleson of the 20th, Hooks of the 14th, Weber of
the 40th, Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th and others
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Senate 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 SENATE that there is created the Senate Septage
Disposal Study Committee to be composed of ten members. The Senate Committee on
Assignments shall appoint two members of the Senate Natural Resources and the
Environment Committee and two members of the Senate State and Local Government
Operations 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 Senate. 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 1,
2006. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2006.