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HB 528

FINANCE-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

House Bill 528 mandates high resource use facilities in Georgia to disclose energy, water usage, and community impacts, ensuring transparency before tax incentives are granted.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 528

Summary of House Bill 528

Bill Number: HB 528
Title: Revenue and taxation; require certain high resource use facilities to provide disclosures regarding community impact and energy and water usage
Status: House Second Readers
Introduced: February 19, 2025

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 528 aims to enhance transparency and accountability for high resource use facilities in Georgia by requiring them to disclose detailed information about their energy and water usage, as well as their community impact. This legislation seeks to ensure that local communities are informed about the environmental and economic implications of such facilities before they receive tax incentives or permits to operate.

Key Provisions

Disclosure Requirements

  • Who is Affected: The bill applies to owners or operators of high resource use facilities, defined as those with a peak energy load of 30 megawatts or greater.
  • Disclosure Reports:
    • Facilities must submit a disclosure report by December 31, 2025, and annually thereafter.
    • Proposed facilities must submit reports 30 days prior to entering contracts for tax incentives or applying for necessary permits.

Contents of Disclosure Reports

Each report must include:
1. General Facility Information:
- Name and address
- Owner/operator details
- Description and purpose
- Total square footage
- Plans for expansion

  1. Energy Usage Information:

    • Daily and peak energy usage in kilowatt-hours
    • Energy source breakdown (fossil fuels, renewables, etc.)
    • Annual waste heat production

  2. Water Usage Information:

    • Annual and daily water usage in gallons
    • Sources of water (e.g., rainwater, well water)
    • Discharge details and pretreatment methods

  3. Community Impact Information:

    • Ad valorem taxes paid in the last five years
    • Required air quality permits
    • Noise levels measured in decibels for nearby properties

Verification and Publication

  • State and local agencies must verify that a disclosure report has been submitted before granting tax incentives.
  • All submitted reports will be publicly available on the department's website, ensuring transparency.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill is currently in the House Second Readers stage, having been introduced on February 19, 2025.
  • It will undergo further legislative review and potential amendments before becoming law.

Conclusion

House Bill 528 represents a significant step towards greater accountability for high resource use facilities in Georgia. By mandating comprehensive disclosures, the bill aims to empower communities with the information necessary to understand the impacts of these facilities on their environment and local economy.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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