Rules committee pauses substitute to HB 485 after members say it would remove 50‑foot trout‑stream buffer

The Georgia Senate Rules Committee paused action on a substitute to House Bill 485 on Thursday after members raised concerns that the change would eliminate a statutory 50‑foot buffer for designated trout waters.

Leader Hatchett told the committee the substitute’s language replaces the existing reference to trout-stream protections and would remove a 50‑foot buffer now afforded to trout streams. Hatchett said he had spoken with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and the Department of Natural Resources, which, he said, were not fully aware of the downstream implications and recommended the provision be removed from the substitute. "This is not appropriate in a simple cleanup bill," Hatchett said, arguing the provision represents "a huge policy shift" that could affect conservation easements, property rights and other long-standing protections.

Committee members noted the language appears in the substitute as lines that, if enacted, would change the statutory definition tied to trout waters. Senator Gooch asked whether the executive-branch agencies had requested the change; Hatchett replied he had not spoken with the author and had only read the substitute that day. According to Hatchett, the EPD director asked the committee to strike lines covering the trout‑water language so the issue could be vetted with the agency present.

The chair halted further action and instructed staff to bring Legislative Counsel and the bill’s sponsor back for standing committee the following day. "Let's get with the author and figure something out," the chair said as the committee agreed to pause consideration and reconvene with counsel on the amendment.

Why it matters: the change would alter how the statute defines trout waters and the buffer applied to them, which senators said could have wide consequences in areas with many trout streams in North and Northeast Georgia. Committee members said the provision needs a separate, full policy discussion rather than being included in a cleanup substitute.

Next steps: the committee postponed the amendment to allow Legislative Counsel and the bill’s author to explain the drafting and to permit agency participation. The matter was scheduled for standing committee the next day.