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GeorgiaHB 4542025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund Act; enact

Sponsored By: Clint Crowe (Republican), Houston Gaines (Republican), Trey Rhodes (Republican), Gary Richardson (Republican), Jason Ridley (Republican), Marcus Wiedower (Republican)

Became Law

Game, Fish & ParksRulesGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New fund for preserving battlefields

The state creates the Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund in the treasury. It holds annual appropriations and donations, and the State Treasurer invests it and credits interest back. The Department of Natural Resources runs a yearly matching‑grants program from the fund. No more than 5% can pay for administration each year, and an annual spending report is due by January 1. The department sets application and award rules and must prioritize key preservation factors.

Permanent protection and transfer options

Any property bought with this program must carry a perpetual conservation easement that limits use and protects the battlefield. The easement may be held by the department or another qualified holder that can manage and enforce it. The state may later transfer the land or interest to Georgia or the United States to add it to a national park, forest, wildlife refuge, or other federal conservation area, following federal law.

Rules to get a battlefield grant

Grants only support buying Georgia battlefields listed in the 1993 Civil War report or the 2007 Revolutionary War/War of 1812 report. You must provide $1 in matching funds for each $1 from the fund; non‑state applicants cannot use state funds. A grant cannot exceed 50% of the appraised value. Grants can pay for the land or easement and related costs like appraisals, surveys, title work, and closing. Deals that closed within the past 12 months can qualify if you show a real threat or urgent need existed at purchase.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Clint Crowe

    Republican • House

  • Houston Gaines

    Republican • House

  • Trey Rhodes

    Republican • House

  • Gary Richardson

    Republican • House

  • Jason Ridley

    Republican • House

  • Marcus Wiedower

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Bill Cowsert

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 204 • No: 14

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 47 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 157 • No: 14

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025House

  3. Act 116

    5/12/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/8/2025House

  5. Senate Third Read

    4/2/2025Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    4/2/2025Senate

  7. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/31/2025Senate

  8. Senate Recommitted

    3/25/2025Senate

  9. Senate Read Second Time

    3/21/2025Senate

  10. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/20/2025Senate

  11. Senate Read and Referred

    3/4/2025Senate

  12. House Third Readers

    3/3/2025House

  13. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/3/2025House

  14. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/27/2025House

  15. House Second Readers

    2/19/2025House

  16. House First Readers

    2/18/2025House

  17. House Hopper

    2/13/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 454/AP* (v8)

    PDF

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