Georgia House adopts resolution to amend regional water-planning councils

The Georgia House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 1008 on Jan. 29, 2026, approving amendments to the state's regional water management plan that reduce the number of appointed council members, increase appointment terms and revise membership requirements. The Speaker announced the vote as 168 in favor, none opposed.

Chairlady Lynn Smith, who presented the resolution, told the chamber the changes are intended to improve efficiency and participation across water planning districts outside metropolitan Atlanta. "The amendment includes reduce the number of government appointments from 13 to 7, reduce the number of lieutenant governor appointments from 6 to 3, reduce the number of speaker of the house appointments from 6 to 3, remove the alternate council members, [and] increase the length of appointments from 3 years to 6 years," she said. Smith said the revisions also require each council to include at least one representative from municipal, industrial, agricultural and energy demand-forecast sectors.

Smith described the changes as the product of a multi-year review by the state water planning group and said the proposal updates requirements tied to a memorandum of understanding between the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the Department of Community Affairs. "These amendments do not include change to the ex officio membership," she added, noting that the next council meeting connected to this process is scheduled for February 2028 and that the timing of reappointments will follow from that schedule.

Members asked several clarifying questions on implementation, geographic assignments and timing. Representative Sanchez asked whether the term extension from three to six years would apply immediately or only as seats are renewed; Smith replied the changes are intended to take effect with the next cycle beginning in 02/2028. Representative Dickey and others praised the councils' role in allocating and planning for municipal and agricultural water needs.

The resolution was considered under the rules calendar; after the previous question was ordered and the committee report was agreed to, the Clerk conducted the vote. The Speaker announced the result: yays 168, nays 0. The resolution "having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore adopted." No amendments to the resolution were recorded on the floor.

Supporters said the amendments address persistent quorum and participation problems in some districts and aim to streamline governance. Chairlady Smith directed members with specific district questions to EPD's online resources (waterplanning.georgia.gov) for maps and contact information. The House moved on to afternoon orders after the adoption.