reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
GA Code § 12-6-222 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 5 - Carbon Sequestration Registry|§ 12-6-222. Establishment of Carbon Sequestration Registry; Uniform Automated Electronic Information System

    The commission shall establish a Georgia Carbon Sequestration Registry, which shall be in operation not later than one year after the effective date of this article.   The commission may contract with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority to develop and implement a state-wide uniform automated electronic information system for purposes of the registry.     After its establishment, the state-wide uniform automated electronic information system for purposes of the registry shall be maintained by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority or its designated agent in accordance with Code Section 15-6-97.2.     (Code 1981, §12-6-222, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 343, § 1; Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355.)   Cross references.   - Role of Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority in uniform automated electronic information system, § 15-6-97.2.   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355, reenacted this Code section without change.
GA Code § 12-6-223 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 5 - Carbon Sequestration Registry|§ 12-6-223. Purpose of Registry

 The purpose of the Georgia Carbon Sequestration Registry shall be to do all of the following:    Encourage voluntary actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including, but not limited to, the construction of buildings made out of materials that sequester carbon dioxide;   Enable participants to voluntarily record carbon sequestrations made after January 1, 1990, or such other beginning date as may be established by rule or regulation of the commission, in a consistent format that is certified;   Ensure that sources in the state receive appropriate consideration for certified carbon sequestration results under any future federal or international regulatory regime relating to greenhouse gas emissions;   Recognize, publicize, and promote participants in the registry; and   Recruit broad participation in the process from all economic sectors and regions of the state.     (Code 1981, §12-6-223, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 343, § 1; Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355.)    The 2021 amendment,  effective July 1, 2021, inserted ", including, but not limited to, the construction of buildings made out of materials that sequester carbon dioxide" in paragraph (1).
GA Code § 12-6-224 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 5 - Carbon Sequestration Registry|§ 12-6-224. Role of the Commission

 For purposes of the registry, the commission shall:      Adopt rules or regulations specifying acceptable types of carbon sequestration results consistent with paragraph (1) of Code Section 12-6-221 and this paragraph and providing procedures and protocols for the monitoring, estimating, calculating, reporting, and certification of carbon sequestration results for purposes of participation in the registry.   Procedures and protocols relative to forestry activities that are reported as a participant's carbon sequestration results under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of Code Section 12-6-221 shall require, at a minimum, that those forestry activities meet the following criteria in order to be reported as any part of a participant's carbon sequestration results:   Forestry activities shall be based on forest management practices within a defined project area that meet or exceed Georgia's Best Management Practices for Forestry as published by the commission and that are not the subject of any ongoing remediation or penalty pursuant to judicial or administrative judgment or order for violation of any applicable requirements of federal, state, or local land use laws, regulations, or ordinances. Best management practices and federal, state, or local land use laws, regulations, or ordinances shall be those in effect each time a participant registers a defined project area in the registry;   Forestry activities reported as carbon sequestration results shall reflect the amount of time that net carbon gains are stored; and   Forestry activities shall maintain and promote native forests.     Procedures and protocols relative to sinks in agricultural soils that are reported as a participant's carbon sequestration results under subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of Code Section 12-6-221 shall be adopted by the commission in accordance with the recommendation of the Commissioner of Agriculture.   The commission shall consider the availability and suitability of simplified techniques and tools when adopting procedures and protocols for the certification of carbon sequestration results.   The procedures and protocols adopted by the commission shall include a uniform format for reporting carbon sequestration results to facilitate their recognition in any future regulatory regime;     Qualify third-party organizations that have the capability to certify reported baseline carbon sequestration results and that are capable of certifying the participant reported results as provided in this article; and   Encourage organizations and individuals from various sectors of the state's economy, and those from various geographic regions of the state, to report carbon sequestration results.     (Code 1981, §12-6-224, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 343, § 1; Ga. L. 2012, p. 775, § 12/HB 942; Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355.)   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355, reenacted this Code section without change.
GA Code § 12-6-225 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 5 - Carbon Sequestration Registry|§ 12-6-225. Procedures and Protocols

 The procedures and protocols for monitoring, estimating, calculating, reporting, and certifying carbon sequestration results established by, or approved pursuant to, this article shall be the only procedures and protocols recognized by the state for the purposes of the registry as described in Code Section 12-6-223.    (Code 1981, §12-6-225, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 343, § 1; Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355.)   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355, reenacted this Code section without change.
GA Code § 12-6-226 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 5 - Carbon Sequestration Registry|§ 12-6-226. Procedures and Protocols Are Not Condition for Ongoing Use of Forest Land

 Procedures and protocols adopted pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of Code Section 12-6-224 shall not be interpreted or construed as a condition for any lease, permit, license, certificate, or other entitlement for an ongoing use of forest land.    (Code 1981, §12-6-226, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 343, § 1; Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355.)   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355, reenacted this Code section without change.
GA Code § 12-6-227 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 5 - Carbon Sequestration Registry|§ 12-6-227. Voluntary Participation; Right of Withdrawal

 Participation in the registry shall be voluntary, and participants may withdraw at any time.    (Code 1981, §12-6-227, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 343, § 1; Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355.)   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355, reenacted this Code section without change.
GA Code § 12-6-229 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 5 - Carbon Sequestration Registry|§ 12-6-229. Adoption of Standardized Forms

 To support the estimation, calculation, reporting, and certification of carbon sequestration results in a consistent format, the commission, in consultation with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, shall adopt standardized forms that all participants shall use to calculate, report, and certify emissions results.    (Code 1981, §12-6-229, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 343, § 1; Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355.)   Cross references.   - Role of Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority in uniform automated electronic information system, § 15-6-97.2.   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355, reenacted this Code section without change.
GA Code § 12-6-231 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 5 - Carbon Sequestration Registry|§ 12-6-231. Reporting to Governor by Director

 Not later than two years after the effective date of this article and biennially thereafter, the director shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the number of participants in the registry, the amounts of carbon sequestered by those participants, and ways to make the registry more workable for participants that are consistent with the goals and intent of this article.    (Code 1981, §12-6-231, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 343, § 1; Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355.)   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355, reenacted this Code section without change.
GA Code § 12-6-232 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 5 - Carbon Sequestration Registry|§ 12-6-232. Obligation of Commission

 The commission shall do all of the following:    Develop a process for qualifying third-party organizations recognized by the state as competent to certify the carbon sequestration results of the types of natural persons or legal entities that may choose to participate in this registry, by doing all of the following:   Developing a list of the minimum technical and organizational capabilities and other qualification standards that approved third-party organizations shall meet. Those qualifications shall include the ability to sign an opinion letter, for which they may be held financially at risk, and certifying the participant-reported carbon sequestration results as provided in this article. Such capabilities and standards for third-party organizations related to certification of carbon sequestration results achieved by sinks in agricultural soils under subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of Code Section 12-6-221 shall be adopted by the commission in accordance with the recommendation of the Commissioner of Agriculture;   Publicizing an applications process or otherwise encouraging interested organizations to submit their qualifications for review;   Evaluating applicant organizations according to the list of qualifications described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph;   Determining specific third-party organizations as qualified to certify participants' actual carbon sequestration results in accordance with this article; and   Periodically updating the list of approved third-party organizations by doing any of the following:   Reviewing the capabilities of approved organizations;   Reviewing applications of organizations seeking to become approved; and   Determining specific organizations to be added to the approved list and specific organizations no longer qualified to perform the duties of this article;       Occasionally, and on a random basis, provide for commission employees to accompany third-party organizations on scheduled visits to observe and evaluate, during any certification visit, both the following:   Whether the participant has a program, consistent with commission approved procedures and protocols, in place for the preparation and submittal of the information required under this article; and   The reasonableness of the carbon sequestration information being reported for a sample of estimates or calculations; and     Review future international or federal programs related to greenhouse gas emissions and make reasonable efforts to promote consistency between the state program and these programs and to reduce the reporting burden on participants.     (Code 1981, §12-6-232, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 343, § 1; Ga. L. 2012, p. 775, § 12/HB 942; Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355.)   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2021, p. 589, § 1/HB 355, reenacted this Code section without change.
GA Code § 12-6-240 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 6 - Forest Heritage Trust|§ 12-6-240. Short Title

 This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Forest Heritage Trust Act of 2004."    (Code 1981, §12-6-240, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 354, § 1.)
GA Code § 12-6-241 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 6 - Forest Heritage Trust|§ 12-6-241. Legislative Findings

  The General Assembly finds that certain real property in Georgia, because it exhibits unique natural characteristics, special historical significance, or particular recreational value, constitutes a valuable heritage which should be protected to provide benefits to all Georgians, now and in the future. The General Assembly specifically recognizes that the forest lands and resources of the state are a natural resource of great economic value to the citizens of the state, not only for the potential production of forest products which they can provide, but also for the enormously valuable natural benefits they impart to the citizens of Georgia, such as air and water quality improvements, water storage, control of erosion, temperature moderation, habitat for native plants and wildlife, and opportunities for recreation in a natural, historic Georgia environment. Natural forested lands also allow present and future citizens to gain an understanding of the prehistoric and early culture of this region. Commercial forests provide traditional jobs, support our economy, and reflect the importance this industry has had in the development of Georgia. The General Assembly further finds that many of the forest resources of the state are under pressure to be converted to other uses because of Georgia's rapid progress and increased population over the past decades. As forest lands are converted to other uses and irreparably altered, a valuable part of our cultural heritage is lost as well as the natural benefits those forest lands provide.   The General Assembly declares, therefore, that there is a compelling public need to preserve forest lands as an element of Georgia's heritage. The General Assembly asserts the public interest in the state's heritage by creating the Forest Heritage Trust Program, which shall be the responsibility of the Governor and the State Forestry Commission and which shall seek to protect this heritage through the acquisition of fee simple title or lesser interests in valuable properties and by utilization of other available methods.     (Code 1981, §12-6-241, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 354, § 1; Ga. L. 2006, p. 72, § 12/SB 465.)
GA Code § 12-6-242 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 6 - Forest Heritage Trust|§ 12-6-242. Definitions

 As used in this article, the term:    "Commission" means the State Forestry Commission.   "Forest heritage area" means an area of land, marsh, or water which has been identified by the commission as having significant historical, natural, or cultural value.   "Forest heritage preserve" means a heritage area to which the state holds fee simple title or some lesser estate and which has been dedicated under this article.     (Code 1981, §12-6-242, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 354, § 1; Ga. L. 2005, p. 60, § 12/HB 95.)
GA Code § 12-6-243 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 6 - Forest Heritage Trust|§ 12-6-243. Role of the Commission

 The commission shall serve as an advisory body to the Governor on all matters concerning the Forest Heritage Trust Program and shall make recommendations to the Governor concerning the identification, designation, and acquisition of forest heritage areas; the dedication of forest heritage preserves; and the annual budget for the Forest Heritage Trust Program. The commission shall consider recommendations from the director of the State Forestry Commission before making its recommendations on these matters.    (Code 1981, §12-6-243, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 354, § 1; Ga. L. 2006, p. 72, § 12/SB 465.)
GA Code § 12-6-244 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 6 - Forest Heritage Trust|§ 12-6-244. Powers and Duties of Commission

 The commission shall have the following powers and duties with regard to the Forest Heritage Trust Program:    To adopt and promulgate all policies, rules, and regulations necessary for the identification and acquisition of forest heritage areas and for the selection, dedication, management, and use of forest heritage preserves;   To acquire forest heritage areas in the name of the State of Georgia as otherwise provided by law;   To advocate and approve the dedication of forest heritage preserves; and   To provide general supervision and direction in the protection, management, operation, and use of forest heritage preserves.     (Code 1981, §12-6-244, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 354, § 1.)
GA Code § 12-6-245 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 6 - Forest Heritage Trust|§ 12-6-245. Dedication as Forest Heritage Preserve

 A forest heritage area which has been acquired by the commission for the Forest Heritage Trust Program may become dedicated as a forest heritage preserve after written recommendation of the commission and approval by Executive Order of the Governor. Any other real property owned by the State of Georgia and under the custody of the commission may be similarly dedicated. The written recommendation shall contain a provision that designates the best and most important use or uses to which the land is to be put. The dedication as a forest heritage preserve shall become effective when the written recommendation and the approval of the Governor are filed with the office of the Secretary of State. The written recommendation and the approval of the Governor shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the superior court of the county or counties in which the forest heritage preserve is located.    (Code 1981, §12-6-245, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 354, § 1.)
GA Code § 12-6-246 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 6 - Forest Heritage Trust|§ 12-6-246. Use of Forest Heritage Preserves

 Forest heritage preserves shall be held by the state in trust for the benefit of present and future generations of people of the State of Georgia. Each forest heritage preserve shall be put to the designated use or uses that confer the best and most important benefit to the public. Forest heritage preserves shall not be put to any use other than the dedicated use or uses except pursuant to the following procedure:    A state agency, department, or authority with a direct interest in the use of a forest heritage preserve must submit in writing a petition to the commission that an imperative and unavoidable necessity for such other use exists;   Upon receipt of such petition, the commission shall give public hearing thereon in the county or counties in which the forest heritage preserve is located;   The commission shall consider fully all testimony relative to the proposed use and submit a recommendation to the General Assembly; and   The General Assembly shall then determine if such use is in the public interest and may by statute approve such other use of the forest heritage preserve.     (Code 1981, §12-6-246, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 354, § 1; Ga. L. 2005, p. 60, § 12/HB 95.)
GA Code § 12-6-247 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 6 - Forest Heritage Trust|§ 12-6-247. Impact of Dedication as Forest Heritage Preserve on Other Protected Status

 Neither the dedication of a piece of property as a forest heritage preserve nor any action taken by the commission pursuant to this article shall operate to void, preempt, or dilute any protected status which that property had or would have had but for its dedication as a forest heritage preserve.    (Code 1981, §12-6-247, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 354, § 1.)
GA Code § 12-6-250 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 7 - Palmetto Berries|§ 12-6-250. Definitions

 As used in this article, the term:    "Director" means the director of the State Forestry Commission.   "Harvest" or "harvesting" means the various methods or processes of gathering saw palmetto berries for preservation, storage, use, or sale.   "Landowner" means the person that owns land from which saw palmetto berries are harvested or the person having possession, control, or use of such land that has lawful authority to grant permission to harvest saw palmetto berries from the land.   "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, or any other legal entity.   "Saw palmetto berries" means the fruit of the plant species Serenoa repens, commonly known as the saw palmetto.   "Saw palmetto berry dealer" means a person that purchases or otherwise obtains saw palmetto berries from a seller for the purpose of selling such saw palmetto berries at retail or for the purpose of selling such saw palmetto berries to another saw palmetto berry dealer or for both such purposes. This term also includes any person that purchases saw palmetto berries directly from a landowner for the purpose of selling such saw palmetto berries at retail.   "Seller" means a person that exchanges or offers to exchange saw palmetto berries for money or for any other valuable consideration.     (Code 1981, §12-6-250, enacted by Ga. L. 2020, p. 680, § 1/HB 966.)
GA Code § 12-6-251 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 12 - Conservation and Natural Resources|Chapter 6 - Forest Resources and Other Plant Life|Article 7 - Palmetto Berries|§ 12-6-251. Legislative Findings

 The General Assembly finds that:    The natural occurrence of saw palmetto berries constitutes a significant economic resource for landowners;   Such landowners have been victimized by continuous and repeated trespasses onto their lands by persons engaged in harvesting saw palmetto berries and have thus been deprived of the economic benefit of such resources; and   The repeated trespasses onto private property by certain persons engaged in the harvesting of saw palmetto berries constitute an organized and methodical deprivation of the rights of others, necessitating the addition of this article.     (Code 1981, §12-6-251, enacted by Ga. L. 2020, p. 680, § 1/HB 966.)