ATLANTA (March 4, 2026) — Recently, Sen. Chuck Payne (R–Dalton) voiced his support for Senate Bill 577, also known as the “Coordinating PFAS Remediation Act,” sponsored by Sen. Sam Watson (R–Moultrie). SB 577 would centralize all PFAS-related lawsuits brought by Georgia state and local governments under state control, enabling the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to bring all lawsuits related to PFAS contamination and distribute any settlement or judgment funds as needed.
“We are all affected by the quality of our water, soil and air, no matter which part of Georgia we call home,” said Sen. Payne. “River water and the water table are not local issues, so the state needs to be involved. This legislation will maximize our ability to recover cleanup costs and invest those dollars back into protecting our communities and water systems. I am proud to stand with my colleagues and take a responsible approach to safeguard Georgia’s natural resources for generations to come.”
SB 577 mirrors similar legislation in other states where attorneys general have consolidated PFAS litigation. It now awaits further action in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment. More information on SB 577 can be found here.
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Sen. Chuck Payne serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security. He represents the 54th Senate District, which includes Murray and Whitfield counties, as well as a portion of Gordon County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-5080 or by email at Chuck.Payne@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.