Guess who thinks letting regulated corporations contribute to the natural resources regulatory agency is a good idea?

Received yesterday on Stop Georgia Power from stopping you from affording solar. -jsq

And if GA Power having control over the grid here isn’t bad enough, now the General Assembly is considering letting DNR ask for donations from the corporations they issue permits to, and then enforce.

-Katherine Helms Cummings

She linked to this post on her blog, HB 887 gives corporate foxes the key to the hen house,

I have a hard time believing that the DNR is going to hold a bake sale to protect the rivers and streams of our state. Some House leaders, including Judy Manning (R-Marietta) and Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City) have said they are uneasy with HB 887. Rightly so.

OK, so who thinks it’s a good idea?

HB 887 is sponsored by Chad Nimmer, R-Blackshear, Matt Ramsey, R-Peachtree City, Ellis Black, R-Valdosta, B.J. Pak, R-Lilburn, Robert Dickey, R- Musella, and Richard Smith, R-Columbus.

Now you know who to blame.

Hm, one of those names seems, ah, local.

Here’s the official summary of the bill:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 12-2-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the powers and duties of the Department of Natural Resources, so as to authorize the Department of Natural Resources to solicit and accept gifts, donations, and contributions; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

No, she wasn’t exaggerating. And the summary is correct:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 12-2-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the powers and 8 duties of the Department of Natural Resources, is amended by adding a new subsection (l) to read as follows:

“(l) The department shall have the power and authority to solicit and receive gifts, donations, or contributions from any person, firm, or corporation to be used in the furtherance of the purposes, objectives, powers, duties, or responsibilities of the department under this title or under any other provision of state or federal law. For purposes of this subsection, ‘solicit’ means, but is not limited to, fund raising and other promotional activities deemed appropriate by the department. Any funds received pursuant to this subsection shall be retained by the department and shall not be paid into the general fund of the state treasury. Any fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be retained pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 45-12-92.1”

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.

Apparently Ellis Black (and a bunch of other state legislators) thinks making DNR self-funding, by soliciting donations from anyone including the companies it regulates, is a good idea.

Does that seem right to you?

-jsq

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