Georgia governor signs four coastal-inspired bills

(The Center Square) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a series of measures this week ostensibly tied to coastal Georgia, including a measure that allows the Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority to incur additional debt.

House Bill 1041, one of four bills signed on Thursday, allows the Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority to increase its maximum amount of bonded indebtedness from $50 million to $400 million and condemn public property “to the extent allowed by law.” The governor said it gives the authority powers consistent with those of other state authorities.

“The Convention Center has been an incredible asset to Savannah as it has grown to be a destination for large-scale events, and we will continue to work to ensure it is a premier facility capable of meeting the needs of many travelers to the Hostess City,” Kemp said during a bill signing at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Regional Headquarters in Brunswick.

HB 206 establishes commercial property-assessed clean programs and will enable property owners to finance the upfront cost of energy improvements and pay the loan back over a 15 or 30-year period with low interest fixed rates, the governor said.

HB 244 updates the effective date for the Board of Natural Resources rules and regulations for game and fish in the state. It also allows bobcat and fox hunting using recorded calls and sounds.

HB 1341 designates the white shrimp as Georgia’s official state crustacean.