House State Properties panel approves HR 97 and HR 98 to convey state land and grant utility easements

House Resolution 97 and House Resolution 98, which bundle dozens of state property conveyances and easements across Georgia, were approved by the House State Properties Committee after agency staff described the parcels and the public-purpose rationale for nominal fees.

The committee voted to give HR 97 and HR 98 a do-pass recommendation by voice vote; members signified approval by saying “aye” with no recorded opposition.

Committee members heard detailed explanations from Frank Smith, deputy executive director of the State Properties Commission, who walked the panel through roughly two dozen conveyances, leases and easements affecting technical colleges, wildlife management areas, county campuses and local infrastructure projects. “The reason we have all of these conveyances bundled into one resolution is the General Assembly is the only body that can authorize the conveyance of state property,” Smith said.

The committee’s packet listed 16 conveyances under HR 97, including small parcels sold or conveyed for public purposes (often for a nominal $10 consideration) and several transactions priced at fair market value because they were intended to benefit or run through property without a sole state…