Georgia CommonsSenate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
SR 329: Georgia Forestry Commission; recognize
Last action March 4, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution formally recognizes the Georgia Forestry Commission as an emergency response agency and commends specific units and employees for their 2024 achievements.
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 Enrolled version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate. It does not change any law. It recognizes the Georgia Forestry Commission, which has operated since 1921, as an emergency response agency for its work fighting wildfires and helping landowners with prescribed burning. The resolution also commends specific honorees from 2024: the Worth County Unit as Unit of the Year for Service, the Fannin/Towns/Union Unit as Unit of the Year for Community Engagement, Clark Rountree as Wildland Firefighter of the Year, and Kevin Lee as Forester of the Year. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to State Forester John Sabo.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes the Georgia Forestry Commission as an emergency response agency within state government.
- Commends the Worth County Unit for being named the 2024 Unit of the Year for Service.
- Commends the Fannin/Towns/Union Unit for being named the 2024 Unit of the Year for Community Engagement.
- Commends Clark Rountree as the 2024 Wildland Firefighter of the Year and Kevin Lee as the 2024 Forester of the Year.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to State Forester John Sabo.
Who it affects
The Georgia Forestry Commission and its employees, particularly the Worth County Unit, the Fannin/Towns/Union Unit, and named individuals Clark Rountree and Kevin Lee, along with State Forester John Sabo who receives the resolution copy.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or funding effect but gives official state recognition to the Georgia Forestry Commission's role in wildfire response and to specific employees and units for their 2024 performance, which may affect morale and public visibility.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses describe the Commission's mission since 1921 and its response to an average of 3,000 wildfires burning 18,500 acres per year.
- The first resolved clause formally recognizes the Georgia Forestry Commission as an emergency response agency.
- The second resolved clause commends the Worth County Unit, the Fannin/Towns/Union Unit, Clark Rountree, and Kevin Lee for their 2024 awards.
- The final resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to State Forester John Sabo.
From the bill
“the Georgia Forestry Commission has protected Georgia's forests and citizens from an average of 3,000 wildfires burning 18,500 acres per year”
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize the Georgia Forestry Commission as an emergency response agency.”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Steve Gooch (R, SD-51)
- Bo Hatchett (R, SD-50)
- Max Burns (R, SD-23)
- Larry Walker, III (R, SD-20)
- John F. Kennedy (R, SD-18)
- Sam Watson (R, SD-11)
- Russ Goodman (R, SD-8)
Topics
- Georgia Forestry Commission
- wildfire response
- legislative recognition
- forestry