--- title: SR 377. Rabun County; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr377 cite_as: SR 377, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr377 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr377.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr377/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71288 date: 2025-03-13 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr376.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr378.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr377.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 377 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-13 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Bo Hatchett text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR377/2025 upstream_id: 2000284 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Rabun County - tourism - waterfalls - outdoor recreation - legislative recognition --- # SR 377. Rabun County; recognize ## Text 25 LC 112 3267 Senate Resolution 377 By: Senator Hatchett of the 50th A RESOLUTION Recognizing Rabun County as the Waterfall Capital of Georgia; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Rabun County, Georgia, located in the Northeast corner of the state, consists2 of over 240,000 acres, most of which are public lands owned by the United States Forest3 Service and the Georgia Power Company; and4 WHEREAS, these thousands of professionally managed acres consist mostly of mountains5 and watersheds that lend themselves to the formation of abundant waterfalls; and6 WHEREAS, there are approximately 120 waterfalls in Rabun County including Mud Creek,7 Hemlock, Minnehaha, Dicks Creek, Martin Creek, Holcomb Creek, and others—more than8 double the number of waterfalls in any other county in the Peach State; and9 WHEREAS, these waterfalls provide recreation and enjoyment for citizens of not only10 Rabun County but also all citizens of Georgia; and11 WHEREAS, part of the enjoyment of these waterfalls is known as the "Waterfall Effect,"12 which occurs when water collides with itself and releases negative ions into the air that are13 believed to relieve stress, aid sleep, and increase energy in humans; and14 S. R. 377 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3267 WHEREAS, Rabun County's waterfalls have attracted thousands of onlookers from all over15 the United States and created a culture of hiking and other out door activities that has16 spawned outfitters and other businesses that provide tours, equipment, and clothing; and17 WHEREAS, these businesses provide "green" economic activity tha t generates jobs and18 strengthens the overall economy of Rabun County and all of North Georgia.19 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body20 recognize Rabun County as the Waterfall Capital of Georgia.21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed22 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the23 press. 24 S. R. 377 - 2 - ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia Senate resolution formally recognizes Rabun County as the 'Waterfall Capital of Georgia,' citing its roughly 120 waterfalls and outdoor tourism economy. ### Plain-language summary This resolution from the Georgia Senate honors Rabun County, located in the northeast corner of the state, by naming it the Waterfall Capital of Georgia. The resolution notes that Rabun County covers more than 240,000 acres, most of it public land managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Georgia Power, and that this land contains about 120 waterfalls, more than double any other Georgia county. The text describes the recreational and economic value of these waterfalls, including a phenomenon it calls the 'Waterfall Effect,' and the outfitting and tourism businesses that have grown around hiking and outdoor activities in the area. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of it to the public and the press. It does not create any new law, funding, or regulation. ### What it does - Formally recognizes Rabun County as the 'Waterfall Capital of Georgia' through a Senate resolution. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press. - Creates no new statute, funding, regulation, or enforceable legal obligation. ### Who it affects Rabun County government and residents receive the honorary designation, and local tourism businesses such as outfitters and guides that support hiking and waterfall viewing are mentioned as benefiting from the county's outdoor recreation economy. ### Why it matters The resolution carries symbolic and promotional value rather than legal effect, potentially supporting Rabun County's tourism marketing and public recognition of its waterfalls and outdoor recreation businesses, without changing any Georgia law, funding, or regulation. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Rabun County's roughly 240,000 acres of mostly public land and about 120 waterfalls, more than any other Georgia county. - The resolution formally states that the Senate recognizes Rabun County as the Waterfall Capital of Georgia. - It directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and the press. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-13) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-03-13) - Sponsors: Bo Hatchett - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71288 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr377.md?full=1