HR1793: HR1793 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 asks the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to write new regulations governing how lifeguards are placed on the state's public beaches when those beaches are crowded. The resolution notes that Georgia's public beaches draw millions of visitors and support the state's economy, and that crowding during peak season raises safety risks for both visitors and lifeguards. It states that requiring a lifeguard positioned every 150 yards during high-occupancy periods would reduce safety risks and prevent tragic outcomes. The House directs its Clerk to send copies of the resolution to the Department of Natural Resources, the public, and the press, but leaves it to the department whether and how to act.

• Formally urges the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to establish regulations on lifeguard placement at public beaches during high-occupancy times.
• States a specific benchmark the House wants considered: a 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 law.

Beachgoers at Georgia's public beaches, lifeguards who work those beaches, coastal local governments, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which would decide whether to adopt any new lifeguard placement rules.

If the Department of Natural Resources follows through, Georgia beaches could see more consistently staffed lifeguard coverage during busy periods, potentially reducing drowning and other safety incidents. Because this is a resolution, no lifeguard requirement takes effect unless the department separately writes and adopts new regulations.

• The whereas clauses explain the House's reasoning: beach crowding during peak season increases safety risks for visitors and lifeguards.
• The resolving clause urges the Department of Natural Resources to establish regulations for lifeguard placement during high-occupancy periods.
• The preceding whereas clause specifies the House's suggested standard of one lifeguard positioned every 150 yards on each public beach.
• The final clause directs the House Clerk to send 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
• Department of Natural Resources
• coastal tourism