GeorgiaGeorgia gives statewide water plan amendments legal effect
Georgia ratifies the Water Council’s December 2025 amendments to its statewide water plan, while state laws remain controlling when they irreconcilably conflict.
What it does
Georgia ratifies the Water Council’s amendments to the statewide water plan and gives the amended plan legal effect. State laws control where they irreconcilably conflict with the plan.
Argument forGiving the adopted amendments legal effect could help state agencies and communities use an updated plan to guide water management.
Argument againstFuture state laws could override conflicting parts of the plan, which may make its guidance less certain over time.
More detail
The resolution ratifies the Water Council’s amendments and gives the amended plan force and effect. The ratified amendments are the ones the Water Council adopted on December 9, 2025, and submitted to the General Assembly on January 12, 2026. A current or future state law controls if it irreconcilably conflicts with a plan provision, but only to the extent of the conflict. The resolution takes effect upon the Governor’s approval or when it becomes law without approval.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Effective DateLatest
- May 6Act 425Major
- May 6House Date Signed by Governor Brian KempBecame Law
- Apr 6House Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 10Senate Passed/AdoptedPassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Senate Vote #695 - 2025-2026 Regular Session. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Vote #695 - 2025-2026 Regular Session. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Senate Third ReadMinor
- Feb 24Senate Read Second TimeMinor
- Feb 20Senate Committee Favorably ReportedMinor
- Feb 2Senate Read and ReferredMinor
- Jan 29House Passed/AdoptedPassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded House Vote #464 - 2025-2026 Regular Session. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded House Vote #464 - 2025-2026 Regular Session. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 29House Third ReadersMinor
- Jan 16House Committee Favorably ReportedMinor
- Jan 14House Second ReadersMinor
- Jan 13House First ReadersMinor
- Jan 12House HopperIntroduced
Environment & Energy