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

26 LC 60 0313S The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment offered the following substitute to HB 432: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 27 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to hunting, trapping, or fishing, so as to provide for Georgia turkey permits and2 stamps; to provide for fees; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for3 other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Geor gia Annotated, relating to7 hunting, trapping, or fishing, is amended in Code Section 27-2-3, relating to effective periods8 of hunting, fishing, and trappi ng licenses generally and multiy ear licenses, by revising9 subsection (a) as follows:10 "(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided, all hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses,11 including without limitation commercial fishing and commercial fishing boat licenses12 issued pursuant to Code Section 27-2-8, shall be effective from April 1 to March 31 of the13 following year; except that all annual, two-year, or other mult iyear hunting, fishing, and14 hunting and fishing combination licenses issued pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (4) of15 Code Section 27-2-23 shall be effective through the applicable one-year, two-year, or16 - 1 - 26 LC 60 0313S multiyear anniversary of the date of issuance. If a person pos sesses a valid annual,17 two-year, or other multiyear hunting, fishing, or hunting and fishing combination license18 at the time of sale of one or more annual, two-year, or other m ultiyear licenses with19 identical privileges to the valid license, the new license or licenses shall become effective20 when the original license expires and shall remain valid through the full applicable period. 21 The department may specify the effective dates and term of the following licenses or22 permits:23 (1) The Georgia waterfowl and migratory bird stamp to meet req uirements of Code24 Section 27-2-20;25 (2) The free Georgia salt water fishing endorsement to meet re quirements of Code26 Section 27-2-20.1; and27 (3) Any permit or requirement authorized by Code Section 27-3- 29 regarding harvest28 recording and reporting; and29 (4) The Georgia turkey permit to meet requirements of Code Section 27-2-6."30 SECTION 2.31 Said article is further amended in Code Section 27-2-6, relatin g to trout license, Georgia32 waterfowl and migratory bird stamp, big game license, and allig ator harvest permit, by33 adding a new subsection to read as follows:34 "(g)(1) Effective July 1, 2027, it shall be unlawful for any person 16 years of age or older35 to hunt turkey in this state unless such person has a Georgia turkey permit in his or her36 possession in addition to all other required hunting licenses. Any resident of this state37 may be issued a Georgia turkey permit at no cost, and the fee f or such permit for38 nonresidents shall be $100.00.39 (2) By July 1, 2027, the department shall design and sell a co llectible Georgia turkey40 stamp. Purchase of such turkey stamp shall be voluntary and sh all not be required in41 order to hunt turkeys in this state. The board shall be authorized to promulgate rules and42 - 2 - 26 LC 60 0313S regulations to administer this subsection and shall establish a ppropriate fees for the43 collectible Georgia turkey stamp.44 (3) Any fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be re tained by the department45 pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 45-12-92.1."46 SECTION 3.47 Said article is further amended in Code Section 27-2-23, relating to license, permit, tag, and48 stamp fees, by adding new subparagraphs to paragraph (1) to read as follows:49 "(N) Resident Georgia turkey permit50 Annual 0.00 (O) Nonresident Georgia turkey permit51 Annual 100.00" SECTION 4.52 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.53 - 3 -