HR1704: HR1704 House Study Committee on Dangerous Animal Attacks and Animal Control Resources in Rural Georgia; create

This resolution creates the House Study Committee on Dangerous Animal Attacks and Animal Control Resources in Rural Georgia. It responds to gaps the legislature has identified in current law, including that Georgia's Responsible Dog Ownership Law and O.C.G.A. § 4-8-23 do not clearly address what happens when a stray or unidentified dog attacks someone, that local officials are shielded from liability in those cases, and that there is no system to compensate attack victims or to fund animal control in rural areas. The committee would have 11 House members appointed by the Speaker, who also names the chairperson. It can meet as needed, study the issues, and recommend legislation. Members get standard legislative allowances for up to five meeting days, paid from House funds. Any report with recommendations must be approved by committee vote and filed with the Clerk of the House before the committee is abolished on December 1, 2026.

• Creates the House Study Committee on Dangerous Animal Attacks and Animal Control Resources in Rural Georgia, made up of 11 House members appointed by the Speaker.
• Directs the committee to study dangerous animal attacks, gaps in liability and victim compensation, and the lack of animal control resources in rural areas.
• Authorizes the committee to hold meetings and recommend legislation or other action it finds necessary.
• Allows legislative members to receive standard per diem allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five meeting days, paid from House appropriated funds.
• Requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Clerk of the House before the committee ends.
• Sets the committee to be abolished on December 1, 2026.

The resolution directly affects members of the House of Representatives appointed to the committee. Its subject matter concerns rural Georgia residents, dog attack victims, local government officials currently shielded from liability, and animal control agencies in areas lacking resources.

The committee itself does not change any law, but its work could lead to future legislation addressing liability and compensation for stray dog attacks and funding for animal control in rural Georgia, areas the resolution says currently lack adequate resources and legal remedies.

• Paragraph (1) formally creates the study committee.
• Paragraph (2) sets committee size at 11 House members, appointed by the Speaker, who also designates the chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) gives the committee authority to study the issues and recommend action or legislation.
• Paragraph (4) lets the chairperson call meetings at times and places the committee finds convenient.
• Paragraph (5) provides legislative allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days unless additional days are authorized, funded through House appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires committee approval by majority vote before any report is filed with the Clerk of the House, or minutes filed if no report is approved.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-03-19House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-03-18House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-16House Hopper (House)

• Patty Stinson (D, HD-150)Primary sponsor

• animal control
• dog attacks
• rural Georgia
• legislative study committee
• public safety