Georgia CommonsHouse · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HR 578: Sport Fish Restoration Program; part of the American System of Conservation Funding; 75th anniversary; recognize
Last action March 11, 2025 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution commends the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program on its 75th anniversary, recognizing its role in funding fish and wildlife conservation nationwide.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally praises the Sport Fish Restoration Program, a federal effort created by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950 and expanded by the Wallop-Breaux amendment in 1984, which uses excise taxes on fishing equipment and boat fuel to fund state fish and wildlife conservation work. The resolution recounts the history of hunters and anglers supporting license fees and equipment taxes to fund conservation, and notes that since 1939 these programs have contributed more than $78 billion to state fish and wildlife agencies. The House uses the resolution to commend anglers, boaters, the sportfishing industry, state agencies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to the public and press.
What the bill does
- Formally commends anglers, boaters, the sportfishing industry, state fish and wildlife agencies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their role in fisheries conservation.
- Recognizes the 75th anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program, established by federal law in 1950 and expanded in 1984.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
- Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute or allocate any state funding.
Who it affects
The resolution symbolically recognizes anglers, boaters, the sportfishing industry, state fish and wildlife agencies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It does not impose obligations on any Georgia resident, business, or government agency.
Why it matters
Because this is a commemorative resolution rather than a law, it does not change any rights, funding, or requirements in Georgia. Its practical effect is limited to public recognition of a federal conservation funding program's 75-year history.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses describe the history of the Sport Fish Restoration Program, created by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950 and expanded by the 1984 Wallop-Breaux amendment.
- The resolved clause commends anglers, boaters, the sportfishing industry, state agencies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their conservation work.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and the press.
From the bill
“since 1939, the combined contribution of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs and license fees to state fish and wildlife agencies has exceeded $78 billion”
“the members of this body commend America's anglers and boaters, the sportfishing industry, state fish and wildlife agencies, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Chas Cannon (R, HD-172)
- Trey Rhodes (R, HD-124)
- Jesse Petrea (R, HD-166)
- Lauren McDonald III (R, HD-26)
- Trey Kelley (R, HD-16)
Topics
- fishing and conservation
- wildlife funding
- sportfishing
- legislative resolutions