All Roll Calls
Yes: 214 • No: 3
GeorgiaSB 2562025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Electric Membership Corporation; disclose certain acquisitions and other information to its members within a certain time frame; require
Sponsored By: Bill Cowsert (Republican)
Became Law
Energy, Utilities & TelecommunicationsRegulated Industries and UtilitiesGeneral Bill
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Caps and member notices for co-op gas deals
The law caps co-op support for a gas affiliate at 25% of net utility plant, excluding electric generation and transmission assets under FERC accounts. Investments, loans, and guarantees cannot use tax-exempt-style rates or be tied to federal or state guaranteed loans. If a deal pushes exposure over 15%, the co-op must notify members within six months. The notice must describe the assets bought, the date, any co-op assets pledged, totals for assets and debts, total generation and transmission assets, and the percent of net utility plant used. Each year while above 15%, the co-op must also report the total annual cost of the gas it sells.
Electric co-ops may form gas affiliates
The law treats forming, funding, or managing gas affiliates and customer-service companies as part of an electric co-op’s purpose. An EMC gas affiliate organized under state law can apply for a certificate to provide authorized gas services.
Limits on LPG business by gas providers
The law bars gas distribution companies, certificated marketers, and the regulated provider from doing LPG production, transport, marketing, or distribution. A distribution company may still use LPG for system balancing and peaking on its own system.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Bill Cowsert
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Charles Martin
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/31/2025
PASSAGE
Yes: 163 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE
Yes: 51 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Effective Date
7/1/2025Senate Date Signed by Governor
5/14/2025SenateAct 296
5/14/2025Senate Sent to Governor
4/7/2025SenateHouse Third Readers
3/31/2025HouseHouse Passed/Adopted
3/31/2025HouseHouse Committee Favorably Reported
3/25/2025HouseHouse Second Readers
3/11/2025HouseHouse First Readers
3/10/2025HouseSenate Tabled
3/6/2025SenateSenate Taken from Table
3/6/2025SenateSenate Third Read
3/6/2025SenateSenate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/6/2025SenateSenate Read Second Time
3/4/2025SenateSenate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/3/2025SenateSenate Read and Referred
2/26/2025SenateSenate Hopper
2/25/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB 256/AP* (v7)
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