ATLANTA (AP) - The Senate has declined to take up a bill addressing the state Environmental Protection Division director's role in policing water pollution.
Senate Bill 269 was on Wednesday's calendar, but was sent back to the Rules Committee. It now faces an uphill battle to return to the Senate floor.
The legislation would allow offenders to voluntarily clean up the pollution under a consent order that could be extended by up to six months by the director if the offender is found to be working in good faith to fix the problem. The bill also included a provision that would fine violators who fail to comply with such orders, with the proceeds to benefit the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, which provides loans for conservation and improvement of the state's water resources.
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