Lawmakers press for a funding plan as federal grants that launched Georgia's GIO near expiration

Lawmakers repeatedly pressed witnesses for a fiscal plan after learning the GIO pilot has relied on short-term federal grants. Representative Dickey told the committee the position "has been funded partially by some federal money" and warned "that funding will be running out." Committee members asked where sustained funding would come from if the bill moves forward without a fiscal note.

Susan told the committee she had secured some federal grants to extend her work and cited a recent award: "i was just able to secure a grant from the u.s geologic survey or usgs for about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to bring into the state to fly lidar." She said she would like to "start with two" staff to get operations going and noted other states staff offices in ranges of about "10 to 25." Sponsors and staff said the bill itself creates an advisory council and an administrative home but does not appropriate recurring state funds; they encouraged continued work on funding plans and possible creative revenue models discussed in the hearing.