ATLANTA – State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan), chair of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, applauds the recent final passage of House Resolution 1008, legislation that would ratify amendments made to Georgia’s comprehensive statewide water management plan.
“I am grateful to see this legislation reach the governor’s desk to ensure that Georgia’s statewide water management plan continues to serve our communities effectively by strengthening the structure of our regional water planning councils,” said Rep. Smith. “I want to thank my colleagues for their work on this effort, especially the members of the House Special Committee on Resource Management Water Subcommittee, who held several meetings across the state during the fall of 2025 to study Georgia’s water challenges and their impact on economic development. By improving how these councils operate, we are taking an important step toward continuing to responsibly manage one of our state’s most vital resources.”
Georgia’s comprehensive statewide water management plan was originally developed in 2008 by the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Department of Natural Resources and later adopted by the State Water Council and ratified by the Georgia General Assembly.
The original plan established 10 regional water planning councils to address local water supply, wastewater, stormwater, water quality and conservation needs. In September 2025, the State Water Council reconvened to review the plan and found that the current council appointment structure was limiting some councils’ ability to maintain a quorum and conduct business, prompting the EPD to recommend changes to improve functionality.
In response, the State Water Council adopted amendments in December 2025 and submitted them to the General Assembly on January 12, 2026, with HR 1008 serving as the ratifying legislation. HR 1008 would reduce the number of council member appointments, eliminate alternate members and extend appointment terms from three years to six years. It would also require each council to include at least one representative from each major water and wastewater demand sector, including municipal, industrial, agricultural and energy interests.
HR 1008 was recently adopted unanimously in the Georgia State Senate, granting it final passage, and has now been sent to the governor for consideration.
The full text of HR 1008 may be found here.
Representative Lynn Smith represents the citizens of District 70, which includes portions of Carroll and Coweta counties. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 and currently serves as Chair of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, Creative Arts & Entertainment, Economic Development & Tourism, Reapportionment and Redistricting, Rules and Small Business Development committees, as well as the Special Committee on Resource Management.
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