SR323: SR323 Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism; create

This resolution sets up a temporary study committee in the Georgia Senate focused on tourism. The committee will have five members appointed by the President of the Senate, drawn from the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Economic Development and Tourism, and Natural Resources and the Environment committees, plus two additional senators chosen for their interest or experience in tourism. The committee is directed to study conditions, needs, and issues related to tourism across Georgia and recommend legislation or other action. It can meet as often as needed, with members receiving standard legislative allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to four days unless more are approved, funded through existing Senate appropriations. If the committee approves a report, the chairperson must file it with the Secretary of the Senate before the committee is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• Establishes the Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism to study tourism opportunities statewide.
• Sets committee membership at five senators, drawn from specific Senate committees and two chosen for tourism interest or experience.
• Authorizes the committee to hold meetings and study issues related to tourism, with power to recommend legislation.
• Provides for legislative allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at four days unless additional days are authorized, funded from Senate appropriations.
• Requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Secretary of the Senate before the committee ends.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2025.

This resolution directly affects members of the Georgia Senate who will serve on the study committee, particularly those on the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Economic Development and Tourism, and Natural Resources and the Environment committees. It also indirectly concerns Georgia's tourism industry and local governments that could be affected by future recommendations.

The committee itself makes no policy changes, but its study and any resulting recommendations could shape future legislation affecting how Georgia funds, promotes, or regulates tourism in cities and small towns, potentially influencing businesses and communities that rely on visitor spending.

• Paragraph 1 creates the Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism.
• Paragraph 2 sets membership at five senators appointed by the President of the Senate, including representatives from three specific Senate committees and two members chosen for tourism expertise.
• Paragraph 3 charges the committee with studying tourism-related conditions and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph 5 caps legislative allowances at four days under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8 unless more days are approved, funded through Senate appropriations.
• Paragraph 6 requires any approved report or recommendations to be filed with the Secretary of the Senate before the committee is abolished.
• Paragraph 7 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
2. 2025-03-21Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
3. 2025-03-20Senate Recommitted (Senate)
4. 2025-03-18Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
5. 2025-03-13Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
6. 2025-03-03Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
7. 2025-02-28Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)Primary sponsor
• Brandon Beach (R, SD-021)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Greg Dolezal (R, SD-027)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)

1. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 1 absent)

   Consent Calendar For Senate Study Committees: Senate Vote #380

• tourism
• Georgia Senate
• study committee
• economic development