SB 264 — GEMA: Creation of Georgia Resilience Office

This bill proposes the creation of the Georgia Resilience Office within the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. This office is tasked with planning and coordinating statewide resilience and disaster recovery efforts.

Key Provisions:

1. Establishment of the Georgia Resilience Office

   • Attached to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency for operational purposes.
   • Focuses on coordinating disaster recovery, hazard mitigation, and resilience programs.

2. Statewide Resilience Plan

   • Develops and maintains a resilience framework to guide state investments in disaster mitigation.
   • Assesses vulnerabilities, infrastructure risks, and economic impacts of extreme weather events.
   • Updates and revises the plan biennially, with the first version due by December 31, 2026.

3. Board of Directors

   • Comprised of 14 members from state agencies, local governments, and industry representatives.
   • Oversees the office’s operations and policy implementation.

4. Chief Resilience Officer

   • Leads the office, nominated by the board.
   • Coordinates resilience efforts across federal, state, and local entities.
   • Reports progress to the General Assembly annually.

5. Responsibilities of the Office

   • Provides technical assistance to local governments for resilience planning.
   • Identifies and secures funding sources, including federal and private funds.
   • Supports research on resilience strategies.
   • Establishes a public website for resilience-related information.

6. Legislative Action

   • Repeals conflicting laws to ensure alignment with the new resilience framework.

This bill aims to enhance Georgia’s preparedness and response to disasters by integrating statewide resilience initiatives and improving coordination across government and private sectors.

This bill has a companion in the House, HB 691. With the main difference being the number of board members required, SB 264 requires 14 members.