25 LC 39 4659
Senate Resolution 283
By: Senators Beach of the 21st, Summers of the 13th, Bearden of the 30th, Williams of the
25th and Still of the 48th
A RESOLUTION
Creating the Joint Study Committee on Height Restrictions Surrounding Georgia Airports;
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and for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, Georgia is one of only three states that does not regulate the height of structures3
surrounding its airports, leaving a significant gap in aviation safety and infrastructure; and4
WHEREAS, tall structures at the end of a runway or within critical approach and departure5
zones compromise aircraft operations and public safety, forcing airports to either relocate, 6
shorten, or otherwise modify runways, which are decisions that result in substantial financial7
cost and, in many cases, could lead to the closure of smaller, rural airports; and 8
WHEREAS, the state has a vested interest in balancing the rights of private landowners with9
the necessity of maintaining safe and operational airports, ensuring that aviation10
infrastructure can continue to support economic growth, public safety, and connectivity11
across Georgia; and 12
WHEREAS, a comprehensive and strategic policy approach is needed to assess and13
implement reasonable height restrictions that protect aviation operations while also14
respecting the rights of property owners and fostering economic development; and 15
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WHEREAS, study is needed to evaluate and recommend policies and possible legislative
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actions that address the challenges posed by unregulated development near airports,17
including:18
(1) A comprehensive analysis of height restrictions in states with established policies in19
order to identify best practices for adoption in Georgia;20
(2) An assessment of the economic and operational impact of unregulated development21
near airports, including the potential financial burden on airports forced to modify22
infrastructure;23
(3) Consideration of the legal implications of implementing height restriction regulations,24
ensuring that any policy recommendations respect property rights while prioritizing25
aviation safety;26
(4) Engagement with key stakeholders, including airport operators, aviation industry27
experts, economic development officials, and private property owners to gain a broad28
perspective on this issue; and29
(5) Development of legislative proposals or regulatory recommendations that strike a30
balance between protecting Georgia's aviation infrastructure and preserving the interests31
of private landowners.32
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF33
GEORGIA:34
(1) Creation of joint study committee. There is created the Joint Study Committee on35
Height Restrictions Surrounding Georgia Airports.36
(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of the following37
members:38
(A) The President of the Senate shall appoint four members of the Senate as members39
of the committee, one of which shall be the chairperson of the Senate Transportation40
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committee. The President of the Senate shall also designate one of such members as
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cochairperson;42
(B) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint four members of the43
House of Representatives as members of the committee, one of which shall be the44
chairperson of the House Committee on Transportation. The Speaker of the House of45
Representatives shall also designate one of such members as cochairperson;46
(C) The commissioner of transportation, or his or her designee;47
(D) The president of the Georgia Municipal Association, or his or her designee; and 48
(E) The president of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, or his or her49
designee.50
(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,51
issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or52
legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.53
(4) Meetings. The cochairpersons shall call all meetings of the committee. The54
committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem55
necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform56
its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.57
(5) Allowances, expenses, and funding.58
(A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided59
for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.60
(B) Members of the committee who are state officials, other than legislative members,61
or state employees shall receive no compensation for their services on the committee,62
but they may be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in the performance of their63
duties as members of the committee in the same manner as they are reimbursed for64
expenses in their capacities as state officials or employees.65
(C) Members of the committee who are not legislators, state officials, or state66
employees shall receive a daily expense allowance in an amount the same as that67
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specified in subsection (b) of Code Section 45-7-21 of the Official Code of Georgia
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Annotated, as well as the mileage or transportation allowance authorized for state69
employees.70
(D) The allowances and expenses authorized by this resolution shall not be received71
by any member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are72
authorized. Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come73
from funds appropriated to the Senate and the House of Representatives; except that74
funds for the reimbursement of the expenses of state officials, other than legislative75
members, and state employees shall come from funds appropriated to or otherwise76
available to their respective agencies.77
(6) Report.78
(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that79
include suggestions for proposed legislation, the cochairpersons shall file a report of the80
same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to81
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.82
(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for83
proposed legislation, the cochairpersons shall file the report, subject to84
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.85
(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of86
abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. 87
A report so approved shall be signed by the cochairpersons of the committee and filed88
with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.89
(D) In the absence of an approved report, the cochairpersons may file with the90
Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives copies of the91
minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.92
(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.93
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