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GeorgiaHR 982025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Property; granting of nonexclusive easements; authorize

Sponsored By: Emory Dunahoo (Republican), Gerald Greene (Republican), Scott Hilton (Republican), Michael Smith (Democrat), Bill Werkheiser (Republican)

Signed by Governor

State PropertiesState Institutions and PropertyGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.

Atlanta pays for Central Avenue bridge access

Atlanta can use about 0.09 acre of state land for the Central Avenue bridge replacement. The City pays $96,400 plus any additional amount set by the State. Georgia keeps ownership, and the City must obtain permits, follow environmental laws, and limit tree clearing to necessary work. If the easement is abandoned after the bridge opens, rights return to Georgia; the City can remove facilities or leave them as State property. The City generally bears relocation costs, with possible different treatment for moves solely benefiting the State after an advance written estimate. The grant authorization expires three years after the law takes effect.

Fort Yargo allows power and fiber lines

The law allows Georgia Power to use about 1 acre at Fort Yargo for underground electricity serving the beach and day-use area. It also allows underground fiber cables on about 15 acres within the company's existing right-of-way. Georgia Power pays $10 for the power easement and fair market value of at least $650 for fiber, plus State-set amounts. Georgia keeps ownership; permits, environmental rules, limited tree clearing, county recording, and return of rights after abandonment apply. Georgia Power generally pays relocation costs; the State can change that for moves solely benefiting it after an advance written estimate. Both authorizations expire three years after the law takes effect.

Georgia Power gets paid Hall County access

Georgia Power can use about 1.6 acres in Hall County only to relocate distribution lines, a transformer, and a terminating cabinet. The company pays fair market value of at least $650, plus any additional amount set by the State. Georgia keeps ownership; required permits, environmental rules, limited tree clearing, and county recording apply. After abandonment, rights return to Georgia, and equipment left behind becomes State property. Georgia Power generally pays future relocation costs, with possible different treatment for moves solely benefiting the State after an advance written estimate. The grant authorization expires three years after the law takes effect.

Hofwyl Plantation gains utility access for payment

The Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission can use up to about 8 acres for underground utilities serving Hofwyl Plantation. It pays $10 plus any additional amount set by the State. Georgia keeps ownership; required permits, environmental rules, limited tree clearing, and county recording apply. After abandonment, rights return to Georgia, and facilities left behind become State property. The utility generally pays relocation costs, with possible different treatment for moves solely benefiting the State after an advance written estimate. The grant authorization expires three years after the law takes effect.

Spectrum gets park access with relocation costs

Spectrum can use about 3 acres at Chattahoochee Bend State Park for underground and overhead fiber lines and equipment. Spectrum pays $10 plus any State-set amount, and generally pays to move facilities that interfere with State use. Different relocation cost treatment requires a finding that the move solely benefits the State, following a written estimate before construction. On written request, the State can grant a similar replacement easement within the property without paying costs or reimbursement. Georgia keeps ownership; required permits, environmental rules, limited tree clearing, and county recording apply. After abandonment, rights return to Georgia, and equipment left behind becomes State property. The grant authorization expires three years after the law takes effect.

Training and college buildings get power access

Georgia Power can use about 2.34 acres in Bryan County for underground power lines and equipment serving Hyundai's electric-vehicle training center. It can also use about 0.24 acre in Habersham County for underground three-phase wiring and one transformer serving the Dr. Mark A. Ivester Center Living and Learning Building. Each easement costs $10 plus any State-set amount, and each grant authorization expires three years after the law takes effect. Georgia keeps ownership; required permits, environmental rules, limited tree clearing, county recording, and return of rights after abandonment apply. Georgia Power generally pays relocation costs, with possible different treatment for moves solely benefiting the State after an advance written estimate.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Emory Dunahoo

    Republican • House

  • Gerald Greene

    Republican • House

  • Scott Hilton

    Republican • House

  • Michael Smith

    Democrat • House

  • Bill Werkheiser

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Ed Harbison

    Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 381 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2025

Agree to Senate Substitute

Yes: 166 • No: 0 • Other: 9

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

ADOPTION BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/11/2025

ADOPT

Yes: 166 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/14/2025House

  2. Act 365

    5/14/2025

  3. Effective Date

    5/14/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/7/2025House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    3/25/2025House

  6. Senate Third Read

    3/11/2025Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/11/2025Senate

  8. Senate Read Second Time

    2/27/2025Senate

  9. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/26/2025Senate

  10. Senate Read and Referred

    2/12/2025Senate

  11. House Third Readers

    2/11/2025House

  12. House Passed/Adopted

    2/11/2025House

  13. House Committee Favorably Reported

    2/6/2025House

  14. House Second Readers

    2/3/2025House

  15. House First Readers

    1/30/2025House

  16. House Hopper

    1/29/2025House

Bill Text

  • HR 98/AP* (v5)

    PDF

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