Georgia Senate sends freight bill to the governor

Georgia lawmakers Wednesday took a small step to improve the movement of freight across Georgia roads and railways. JOHN SPINK/JSPINK@AJC.COM

Georgia lawmakers Wednesday took a small step to improve the movement of freight across Georgia roads and railways. JOHN SPINK/JSPINK@AJC.COM

The state Senate Wednesday took a small step to improve the movement of freight across Georgia roads and railways.

Senators approved House Bill 820, which would establish line items for freight improvements in the Georgia Department of Transportation budget. It was one of the recommendations of a legislative commission that studied ways to improve freight mobility across the state.

For now, the budget line item is a placeholder. But the commission has recommended spending up to $121.5 billion on road and rail improvements over the next 30 years.

Separate legislation that passed the Senate earlier this week, House Resolution 935, would allow the commission to continue studying the issue and report back by the end of the year with a plan to raise the money.

HB 820 now goes to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature.