HR 1793: Georgia Department of Natural Resources; establish regulations for placement of lifeguards on Georgia's public beaches during times of high occupancy; urge

This resolution does not change Georgia law itself. Instead, it formally urges the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to write new regulations covering lifeguard placement on the state's public beaches when they are heavily used. The resolution points to a specific idea: requiring a lifeguard stationed roughly every 150 yards on public beaches during periods of high occupancy, arguing this would reduce safety risks and prevent tragic outcomes. It also directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the Department of Natural Resources, the public, and the press. Because it is a resolution rather than a bill, it carries no legal requirement; the Department of Natural Resources would decide on its own whether to adopt any such rules.

• Urges the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to establish regulations on lifeguard placement for public beaches during high-occupancy times.
• Cites a specific benchmark of one lifeguard positioned every 150 yards on each public beach during crowded periods.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the Department of Natural Resources, the public, and the press.
• Does not itself create any binding legal requirement, since it is a resolution expressing the House's position rather than a change to Georgia statute.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which would decide whether to act on the request; beachgoers at Georgia's public beaches; and lifeguards who work those beaches during busy periods, particularly along the coast.

If the Department of Natural Resources follows through, Georgia's public beaches could see more consistently staffed lifeguard coverage during crowded times, potentially reducing drowning and other safety risks. Because it is only a resolution, no lifeguard staffing changes are legally required unless the department separately adopts regulations.

• The resolution states that Georgia's public beaches attract millions of visitors and face increased safety risks during crowded peak periods.
• It formally resolves that the House urges the Department of Natural Resources to establish lifeguard placement regulations during high-occupancy times.
• It references a specific spacing standard of one lifeguard every 150 yards as the kind of regulation being urged.
• It directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to the Department of Natural Resources, the public, and the press.

1. 2026-03-23House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-03-20House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
3. 2026-03-20House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-03-19House Hopper (House)

• Bryce Berry (D, HD-056)Primary sponsor
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)
• Anissa Jones (D, HD-143)
• Steven Sainz (R, HD-180)
• Inga Willis (D, HD-055)

• beach safety
• lifeguards
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources
• public beaches
• tourism safety