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GeorgiaHB 2872025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Environmental Protection Division; Environmental Advisory Council; update reference date to standards, rules, and regulations

Sponsored By: Chas Cannon (Republican), John Corbett (Republican), John LaHood (Republican), Lauren McDonald III (Republican), Trey Rhodes (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Game, Fish & ParksNatural Resources and the EnvironmentGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Free event licenses for disabled participants

Georgia's Department of Natural Resources can issue free fishing and hunting licenses to paralyzed or disabled residents and nonresidents. Participants must attend an approved Georgia event sponsored and run by a nonprofit charity or the department. Licenses cover only the event dates, up to seven days, and only fishing or hunting connected with that event. Fishing privileges include a trout license; hunting privileges include required big game licenses. People whose disability is a mental impairment qualify only for the fishing license. Wildlife laws still apply, licenses can be revoked, and sharing or misuse is unlawful.

Special turkey season excludes 16-year-olds

The law requires the board to authorize a special turkey season for hunters under 16 or with mobility impairments. Sixteen-year-olds no longer qualify based on age alone. The special season falls on the weekend before the first weekend of the regular turkey season, as set by the board. Other wildlife laws and board rules still apply.

Shellfish crews get paid group licensing

Resident shellfish crew licenses cost master harvesters $200 annually for up to 10 harvesters or $400 for unlimited harvesters. Covered workers do not need separate personal commercial fishing licenses, shellfish endorsements, or commercial fishing boat licenses. Commercial shellfish taking still requires a commercial fishing license with a shellfish endorsement and a master or individual harvester permit, or proof of purchase from a certified shellfish dealer. Annual master permits list allowed shellfish and require Agriculture Department handler certification unless the natural resources department grants permission. Masters can request permits for workers, who must carry permits listing the exact harvest area and conditions. Master and worker permits can be denied or revoked. Permits must be surrendered when shellfish certification or harvesting rights end. Masters must report removed workers, who must surrender their permits; possessing unauthorized permits is unlawful.

Criminal enforcement uses updated 2025 rules

The law updates the criminal enforcement reference date from January 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025. It applies to Board of Natural Resources environmental, game and fish, and watercraft rules. Criminal violations in these areas are based on the rules in force on January 1, 2025. This is a rule cutoff date, not a stated effective date for the law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Chas Cannon

    Republican • House

  • John Corbett

    Republican • House

  • John LaHood

    Republican • House

  • Lauren McDonald III

    Republican • House

  • Trey Rhodes

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Lee Anderson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 221 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 2/24/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 171 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Act 178

    5/13/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/7/2025House

  5. Senate Third Read

    3/11/2025Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/11/2025Senate

  7. Senate Read Second Time

    3/3/2025Senate

  8. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    2/28/2025Senate

  9. Senate Read and Referred

    2/26/2025Senate

  10. House Third Readers

    2/24/2025House

  11. House Passed/Adopted

    2/24/2025House

  12. House Committee Favorably Reported

    2/19/2025House

  13. House Second Readers

    2/10/2025House

  14. House First Readers

    2/6/2025House

  15. House Hopper

    2/5/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 287/AP* (v3)

    PDF

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