GA HR1588

Authorizes the State Properties Commission to grant nonexclusive easements across State of Georgia-owned property in 22 counties (Baker, Chatham, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Douglas, Elbert, Emanuel, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Hart, Lamar, Laurens, Liberty, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Pulaski, Richmond, and Upson) for the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities, utilities, and ingress/egress.

Grantees include Colonial Pipeline Company, Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Power, Cobb County DOT, Sawnee EMC, City of Barnesville, Laurens County, Georgia Transmission Corporation, City of Augusta, and Atlanta Gas Light Company for purposes including petroleum pipelines, electrical power lines, transmission lines, natural gas lines, water lines, sewer lines, thoroughfares, and a highway bridge.

Consideration for most easements is set at $1.00, while easements to private/commercial entities (Colonial Pipeline, Georgia Power in certain counties, and Georgia Transmission Corporation) require fair market value with a minimum of $650.00.

All easement authorizations expire three years after enactment; abandonment of use triggers automatic reversion of rights to the State, and the State Properties Commission may require grantees to relocate facilities at their own expense if needed to avoid interference with State use.

Property under the custody of multiple State agencies—including the Department of Natural Resources, Technical College System, Department of Corrections, Georgia World Congress Authority, and Department of Juvenile Justice—is affected, with easements to be recorded in the respective county Superior Courts.