Rep. Mark Hamilton Appointed to Solar Panel Study Committee

ATLANTA – State Representative Mark Hamilton (R-Cumming) was recently appointed to a Subcommittee of the Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee. The Subcommittee will study House Bill 874, otherwise known as the Solar Power Free-Market Financing and Property Rights Act of 2014. HB 874 allows property owners to install and secure financing for solar technology without interference from electric service providers.

“I am honored to be appointed to this subcommittee and want to thank Representative Mike Dudgeon for bringing forth this legislation,” said Rep. Hamilton. “Solar power is a cost-effective source of energy, and citizens should have the freedom to use it to power their homes.”

The Special Subcommittee to study HB 874 is chaired by Rep. Harry Geisinger (R-Roswell). Other subcommittee members include: Representatives Robert Dickey (R-Musella), Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), Ben Harbin (R-Evans), Susan Holmes (R-Monticello) and Earnest Smith (D-Augusta). The subcommittee will work in the interim leading up to the 2015 session of the Georgia General Assembly.

HB 874, sponsored by Rep. Mike Dudgeon (R-Johns Creek), would allow retail electric customers to install solar technology that would be used to generate electricity for their properties. The solar technology could be financed through a loan, lease, power purchase agreement or other financing agreement. HB 874 also prohibits an electric service provider from interfering with the installation or financing of solar technology.

For more information on HB 874, please click here.

Representative Mark Hamilton represents the citizens of District 24, which includes portions of Forsyth County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2006 and currently serves as Chairman of the Industry and Labor Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications, Governmental Affairs, Rules, and Transportation committees.

###