Senate committee advances local bill letting Covington County voters weigh a carbon-dioxide injection-well amendment

Senator Carnley presented SB266 to the Senate Committee on Tourism, saying the bill is a local measure that affects only Covington County and would allow county voters in November to consider a local constitutional amendment on Class VI carbon dioxide injection wells. "This is a local bill that impacts only Covington County," Carnley said, and noted committee rules ("rule 50 a") require matters with environmental impact to come before a general committee.

Carnley described the question before voters as whether to allow "class 6 gas or carbon dioxide injection wells" in the county or not. The committee received the bill for consideration and a motion was made by Senator Livingston and seconded by Senator Hovey to act on the measure. During the roll call the clerk recorded members' responses and Senator Smitherman stated "Abstain." The chair announced the bill received a favorable report.

The presentation and vote on SB266 in committee do not enact policy; they move the bill forward in the legislative process. The bill, as described by its sponsor, would permit Covington County residents to vote on a local constitutional amendment concerning the allowance or prohibition of Class VI CO2 injection wells. The committee did not record further technical details about siting, regulatory standards, or permitting in the transcript.

Next steps: the committee's favorable report sends SB266 to the next stage in the Senate process for further consideration. Specific calendar placement or floor action was not specified in the transcript.