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Subcommittee holds hearing on ‘bad actors’ bill to give EPD authority to vet contractors
Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony on LC443387/HB 1072, a hearing-only bill that would let the EPD director investigate an applicant's past conduct and potentially bar contractors with egregious histories; committee members pressed for thresholds and due-process protections.
Representative Townshend presented LC443387 (referred to in committee as HB 1072), calling it a "bad actors" bill that would give the Environmental Protection Division director discretion to vet applicants and contractors, particularly out-of-state entities with concerning past records.
The sponsor said the measure would authorize the director to "look into" past records and clear the process for state review while adding language intended to reduce litigation risk. "This helps us ... put a stop to, like, especially out of state, people applying for contracts within the state of Georgia," the sponsor said.
Committee members asked how the director would apply standards, what code sections (chapters 4, 5, 7 and 9 were discussed, and committee staff referenced that Chapter 8—the Solid Waste Management Act—also figures into permitting) the director would consult, whether applicants would get notice and an opportunity to correct deficiencies, and whether explicit thresholds should be written into the bill. The sponsor and EPD representatives said evidence and code citations would be required and that EPD would develop guardrails and internal processes to avoid arbitrary application.
Committee members proposed drafting a substitute that incorporates the thresholds and procedural protections discussed. The chair kept the bill as hearing-only for this meeting and the subcommittee adjourned after additional comments.
