Bill > HB665

This bill transfers all environmental health authorities and responsibilities from county boards of health to the Georgia Department of Public Health, effective January 1, 2028. Specifically, the bill defines "environmental health" as the science of preventing human injury and illness by identifying and evaluating environmental sources and hazardous agents that may affect human health. All existing contracts, agreements, rules, regulations, and employees related to environmental health will be automatically transferred to the Department of Public Health. The bill removes county boards of health's powers to regulate on-site sewage management systems, issue related permits, and conduct environmental health inspections, instead giving these responsibilities to the state-level Department of Public Health. The legislation also updates various sections of Georgia's legal code to reflect this transfer of authority, including provisions about soil investigations, gray water usage, and building permits. Importantly, the bill will only become effective if specific funds are appropriated for its implementation prior to January 1, 2027, ensuring that the transition is financially supported. The goal appears to be standardizing environmental health regulation at the state level rather than having potentially varied approaches across different county boards of health.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70950