Georgia House bill by Rep. Dickey on farm water permits and measuring devices passes House and Senate

Newly passed bill authored by State Rep. Robert Dickey aims to revise water use permitting and measuring requirements for farm withdrawals in the Flint River Basin, following approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Tuesday, March 25, clearing the House by a vote of 165-0 and the Senate by a vote of 53-0.

The bill, introduced as HB143 on Tuesday, Jan. 28 during the 2025 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Water resources; water-measuring devices for farm use of surface and ground water; revise provisions’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends portions of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated related to water resources, specifically revising rules concerning the use of water-measuring devices for farm use of surface and ground water. It establishes protocols for granting or renewing permits for water withdrawal for agricultural purposes in the Flint River Basin, setting a 25-year term with automatic renewal unless it adversely affects other water uses. The bill outlines conditions for the modification, transfer, or assignment of these permits and mandates the installation of water-measuring devices at withdrawal points. It also requires the Georgia Division of Water Resources to implement a program for measuring farm water use, develop a priority system for installing measuring devices, and provide annual reporting on the progress of these installations, including potential devices’ maintenance and audit requirements.

In the House, 67 Democrats and 98 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 21 Democrats and 32 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Chas Cannon (Republican-172nd), Rep. Gerald Greene (Republican-154th), and Rep. Steven Meeks (Republican-178th), along with three other co-sponsors.

Dickey graduated from the University of Georgia in 1976 with a BA.

Dickey, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 134th House District, replacing previous state representative David Knight.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday, May 8.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.