HB432: HB432 Game and fish; Georgia turkey stamps; provide

Currently Georgia law does not require a separate permit specifically to hunt turkey. This bill amends the state's hunting and fishing licensing laws (O.C.G.A. Title 27, Chapter 2) to create a new Georgia turkey permit. Starting July 1, 2027, anyone 16 or older hunting turkey in Georgia would need this permit in addition to any other required hunting license. Georgia residents could get the permit for free, while nonresidents would pay $100. The bill also directs the Department of Natural Resources to design and sell, by July 1, 2027, a separate collectible Georgia turkey stamp. Buying the stamp would be voluntary and would not be required to hunt turkey; the department's board would set its price through regulations. Money collected from permit and stamp fees would stay with the department under an existing state code provision governing retained agency funds. The bill also updates the general licensing statute to let the department set effective dates for the new turkey permit, similar to how it handles waterfowl stamps.

• Creates a new Georgia turkey permit requirement, effective July 1, 2027, for anyone 16 or older hunting turkey in the state.
• Sets the turkey permit fee at no cost for Georgia residents and $100.00 for nonresidents.
• Directs the Department of Natural Resources to design and sell a voluntary collectible Georgia turkey stamp by July 1, 2027, separate from the required permit.
• Lets the department's board set fees and rules for the collectible turkey stamp through regulations.
• Allows fees collected from the permit and stamp to be retained by the department rather than sent to the general treasury.
• Adds the turkey permit to the list of licenses whose effective dates the department can set independently, alongside the waterfowl stamp and salt water fishing endorsement.

Turkey hunters in Georgia, both residents and nonresidents age 16 and older, who would need the new permit starting in 2027. It also affects the Department of Natural Resources, which must design the permit and stamp program, and the department's board, which sets stamp fees and rules.

Turkey hunters would face a new licensing requirement starting in 2027, though the cost falls only on nonresidents since Georgia residents get the permit free. Hunters interested in collectibles could also buy an optional stamp, and the fees collected would help fund the department's wildlife programs.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 27-2-3 to let the department set the effective dates and term for the new Georgia turkey permit, similar to existing waterfowl and salt water fishing permits.
• Section 2 adds subsection (g) to O.C.G.A. § 27-2-6, making it illegal starting July 1, 2027 for anyone 16 or older to hunt turkey without a Georgia turkey permit.
• Section 2 sets the turkey permit fee at no cost for residents and $100.00 for nonresidents.
• Section 2 requires the department to design and sell a voluntary collectible turkey stamp by July 1, 2027, with fees set by the board through regulation.
• Section 2 specifies that fees collected under this subsection are retained by the department under O.C.G.A. § 45-12-92.1.
• Section 3 amends the fee schedule in O.C.G.A. § 27-2-23 to add annual resident and nonresident Georgia turkey permit fees of $0.00 and $100.00 respectively.
• Section 4 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Tabled (Senate)
2. 2026-02-20Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
3. 2026-01-12Senate Recommitted (Senate)
4. 2025-03-21Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
5. 2025-03-20Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
6. 2025-03-06Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
7. 2025-03-04House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
8. 2025-03-04House Third Readers (House)

• Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)Primary sponsor
• Trey Rhodes (R, HD-124)
• Charles Cannon (R, HD-172)
• Emory Dunahoo (R, HD-031)
• Johnny Chastain (R, HD-007)
• Rob Clifton (R, HD-131)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 4, 2025

   166 yea, 1 nay (6 not voting, 7 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #178

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   39 yea, 10 nay (2 not voting, 3 absent)

   Motion To Table Remaining Legislation On The Rules Calendar: Senate Vote #912

• turkey hunting
• hunting licenses
• wildlife regulations
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources
• outdoor recreation fees