The final report of the Georgia House and Senate Study Committee on Storm Water Management Fees : Senate Resolution 224

THE FINAL REPORT OF THE GEORGIA HOUSE AND SENATE STUDY COMMITTEE ON STORM WATER MANAGEMENT FEES SENATE RESOLUTION 224

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Honorable Lynn Smith Co-chair Representative District 70
Honorable Mike Glanton Representative District 75
Mr. Brian Johnson Citizen Member
Mr. Brandon Lovett Citizen Member
Mr. Taylor Anderson Citizen Member
Ms. Diane Parks Citizen Member

Honorable Frank Ginn Co-chair Senator District 47
Honorable Rick Jeffares Senator District 17
Mr. Steve Leo Citizen Member
Mr. Michael Thomas Citizen Member
Ms. Courtney Reich Citizen Member
Mr. Frank Norton Jr. Citizen Member

Prepared By The House Research and Budget Office and the Senate Research Office December 2017
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INTRODUCTION
The Joint Study Committee on Storm Water Management Fees was created by the Georgia State Senate in 2017 through the passage of Senate Resolution 224. The committee was established to investigate whether local governments fairly impose stormwater collection and disposal fees on private property owners.
The committee heard from a range of stormwater professionals industry authorities and attorneys about the imposition of stormwater fees and how property owners affect drainage and create runoff issues by creating impermeable surfaces.
Representative Lynn Smith (70th) and Senator Frank Ginn (47th) co-chaired the committee which also included one additional member from the House and Senate each Representative Mike Glanton (75th) and Senator Rick Jeffares (17th).
Eight citizen members were also appointed to the committee four by the House and four by the Senate. House appointees include Mr. Bryan Johnson Mr. Brandon Lovett Ms. Taylor Anderson and Ms. Diane Parks. Senate appointees include Mr. Steve Leo Mr. Michael Thomas Ms. Courtney Reich and Mr. Frank Norton Jr.
Mr. Trey Bennett from the Senate Research Office and Mr. Blake Doss from the House Budget and Research Office were assigned to assist the committee. Mrs. Lori Brill was also assigned by Legislative Counsel to assist the committee.
The committee held three public meetings one at the Classic Center in Athens and two at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The following speakers testified to the committee
October 6 2017 -- Classic Center Athens GA Glen Behrend (Nonpoint Source Program Manager Georgia Environmental Protection Division) Scott McClelland (Vice President of CDM Smith Inc. representing Southeastern Storm Water Association) Doug Baughman (Senior Principal Technologist & Environmental Scientist CH2M Hill) Dr. Brant Keller (Public Works Director City of Griffin) Kathleen Bowen (Association County Commissioners of Georgia) Michael McPherson (Georgia Municipal Association) and Ron Feldner (City Manager Garden City). November 7 2017 -- Coverdell Legislative Office Building Drew Whalen (Whalen Law Firm LLC) Darrell Rochester (CEO Rochester Associates) and Todd Stevenson (Stormwater Administrator Athens-Clarke County Unified Government). December 7 2017 -- Georgia State Capitol No speakers testified at this meeting.
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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Stormwater utility fees determined by the utility should be determined by best management practices.
This committee acknowledges that the Georgia General Assembly is the enactor of legislation that sets policy.
The Georgia Association of Water Professionals Association County Commissioners of Georgia Georgia Municipal Association and other organizations and their respective members should develop a guide to creating an equitable credit program to encourage more consistent and equitable credit practices.
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