TITLE 12 CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Section 4. Mineral Resources and Caves, 12-4-1 through 12-4-147.

ARTICLE 2 MINING AND DRILLING

12-4-47. Bonds or undertaking by persons conducting drilling operations.

1. Prior to the issuance of a permit to drill any well covered by this part, the owner, operator, contractor, driller, or other person responsible for the conduct of the drilling operation shall furnish the state a bond or undertaking in the form prescribed by the board and in an amount set by the board, executed by a bonding, surety, or insurance company authorized to do business in this state in the favor of the state. Alternatively, the board in its discretion may require a similar undertaking executed only by such person to ensure a faithful performance of the requirements of this part, of any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereto, or of any condition of a permit. Such bond or undertaking is intended to protect the state or any citizen thereof from any injury which may result from improper drilling.
2. Any bond required under this part shall be released two years from the date of receipt by the director of all geological information required under this part or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this part; provided, however, that the director shall have examined and approved the abandoned well for which the bond was furnished.
3. No bond required under this part shall exceed $100,000.00.

(Ga. L. 1945, p. 366, § 24; Ga. L. 1975, p. 966, § 13; Ga. L. 1984, p. 398, § 5; Ga. L. 2018, p. 953, § 1/HB 205.)

The 2018 amendment, effective May 8, 2018, substituted "$100,000.00" for "$50,000.00" in subsection (c).