The bill to be sponsored by Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) would provide a streamline permitting process for local governments that wish to expand existing reservoirs or build new ones.

"Right now that permitting process takes way too long, we want to see it done in 90 days," says Cagel.

The measure would also help in securing federal permits necessary to build reservoirs.

A separate bill to be introduced in the House will allow the state to provide millions of dollars in funding to local governments through bonds.

"Short term we need to stop the water that's going out of the existing reservoirs. Long term we need to have more reservoirs and more impound capacity in the state," says Richardson.