07 LC
35 0479
House
Bill 541
By:
Representatives Smith of the
168th,
Morris of the
155th,
Sims of the
169th,
Williams of the
178th,
Maddox of the
172nd,
and others
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education,
Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local
government, and Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
state government, so as to require the use of clean and renewable fuels in
certain vehicles operated by certain government entities under certain
circumstances; to provide for legislative findings and declarations; to provide
for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
The
General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1)
Georgia currently consumes nearly 6.5 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel
fuel annually;
(2)
Petroleum is imported primarily from outside the United States;
(3)
Using clean alternative fuels instead of fossil fuels will provide for a cleaner
environment by reducing water and air contamination;
(4)
In particular, the use of clean renewable fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol
will provide additional benefits for the State of Georgia;
(5)
Georgia has the potential to create a biofuels industry that would serve as a
model for the South and thereby attract additional new industries;
(6)
This biofuels industry could add over $1 billion of economic growth to Georgia
and increase the state´s income tax collections by over $10 million
annually;
(7)
Nearly 500 direct and over 1,000 indirect jobs would be created by the Georgia
biofuels industry; and
(8)
Creating this industry will add additional value to Georgia´s agricultural
and forestry commodities, including biomass, and support land values in rural
Georgia.
SECTION
2.
Title
20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, is amended
by inserting a new Code section to read as follows:
"20-2-504.1.
(a)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
'Biodiesel fuel' means fuel meeting the American Society for Testing and
Materials specification with a minimum blend level of 5 percent.
(2)
'Clean renewable fuel' means biodiesel fuel and ethanol.
(3)
'Ethanol' means fuel meeting the American Society for Testing and Materials
specification with a minimum blend level of 5 percent.
(b)
On and after January 1, 2008, each local school district shall use clean
renewable fuel in any gasoline or diesel motor vehicle or equipment it operates
whenever such fuel is compatible with the technology of the vehicle or equipment
and is reasonably available at a cost equal to or less than that of conventional
fuel. A purchasing preference shall be given to biodiesel fuel made from
Georgia feed stock or other Georgia products.
(c)
On and after January 1, 2008, no local school district shall enter into any
contract to purchase or lease any motor vehicle that is not capable of being
powered by clean renewable fuel or other alternative fuel if a motor vehicle
capable of being powered by such a clean renewable fuel is suitable for the
intended use and such motor vehicle is reasonably available at a cost equal to
or less than that of comparable conventionally fueled
vehicles."
SECTION
3.
Title
36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local government, is
amended by inserting a new Code section to read as follows:
"36-60-25.
(a)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
'Biodiesel fuel' means fuel meeting the American Society for Testing and
Materials specification with a minimum blend level of 5 percent.
(2)
'Clean renewable fuel' means biodiesel fuel and ethanol.
(3)
'Ethanol' means fuel meeting the American Society for Testing and Materials
specification with a minimum blend level of 5 percent.
(b)
On and after January 1, 2008, each county and municipal corporation shall use
clean renewable fuel in any gasoline or diesel motor vehicle or equipment it
operates whenever such fuel is compatible with the technology of the vehicle or
equipment and is reasonably available at a cost equal to or similar to that of
conventional fuel. A purchasing preference shall be given to biodiesel fuel
made from Georgia feed stock or other Georgia products.
(c)
On and after January 1, 2008, no county or municipal corporation shall enter
into any contract to purchase or lease any motor vehicle that is not capable of
being powered by clean renewable fuel or other alternative fuel if a motor
vehicle capable of being powered by such a clean renewable fuel is suitable for
the intended use and such motor vehicle is reasonably available at a cost
similar to that of comparable conventionally fueled vehicles."
SECTION
4.
Title
50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, is
amended by inserting a new Code section to read as follows:
"50-19-6.1.
(a)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
'Biodiesel fuel' means fuel meeting the American Society for Testing and
Materials specification with a minimum blend level of 5 percent.
(2)
'Clean renewable fuel' means biodiesel fuel and ethanol.
(3)
'Ethanol' means fuel meeting the American Society for Testing and Materials
specification with a minimum blend level of 5 percent.
(b)
On and after January 1, 2008, each office, agency, department, board, bureau,
commission, institution, authority, or other entity of this state shall use
clean renewable fuel in any gasoline or diesel motor vehicle or equipment it
operates whenever such fuel is compatible with the technology of the vehicle or
equipment and is reasonably available. A purchasing preference shall be given
to biodiesel fuel made from Georgia feed stock or other Georgia
products.
(c)
On and after January 1, 2008, no office, agency, department, board, bureau,
commission, institution, authority, or other entity of the state shall enter
into any contract to purchase or lease any motor vehicle that is not capable of
being powered by clean renewable fuel or other alternative fuel if a motor
vehicle capable of being powered by such a clean renewable fuel is suitable for
the intended use and such motor vehicle is reasonably available at a cost
similar to that of comparable conventionally fueled vehicles."
SECTION
5.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.