HR1949: HR1949 House Study Committee on Gamecock Fighting in Georgia; create

Gamecock fighting, a blood sport in which roosters are bred and trained to fight, often with metal blades attached to their legs, is currently illegal under federal law. According to the resolution, Georgia is the only state where it is not a felony under state law. This resolution does not change that law itself; instead it sets up a study committee to look into the issue. The committee would have five members of the House of Representatives, three appointed by the Speaker and two by the House Minority Leader, with the Speaker naming the chairperson. The committee would study conditions and problems related to gamecock fighting and recommend legislation. Members would receive standard legislative allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five meeting days unless more are approved, funded through the House of Representatives' budget. The committee would be abolished on December 1, 2026.

• Creates the House Study Committee on Gamecock Fighting in Georgia to examine the issue and recommend policy.
• Sets the committee's membership at five House members, three chosen by the Speaker and two by the Minority Leader.
• Directs the committee to study criminal penalties and deterrence options related to gamecock fighting and propose legislation.
• Authorizes standard legislative daily allowances for committee members for up to five days, funded through the House's existing budget.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2026.

The resolution directly affects members of the Georgia House of Representatives who would serve on the study committee. Indirectly, it concerns anyone involved in gamecock fighting, animal welfare advocates, and future targets of any criminal legislation the committee might recommend.

This resolution does not itself change any law or create new penalties for gamecock fighting. It sets up a committee to study the issue and consider whether Georgia should follow other states in making cockfighting a felony, meaning any real legal change would depend on future legislation.

• Paragraph 1 creates the House Study Committee on Gamecock Fighting in Georgia.
• Paragraph 2 sets membership at five House members: three appointed by the Speaker, two by the Minority Leader, with the Speaker naming the chairperson.
• Paragraph 3 directs the committee to study conditions and problems related to gamecock fighting and recommend action or legislation.
• Paragraph 4 lets the chairperson call meetings at any time or place needed to carry out the committee's work.
• Paragraph 5 authorizes standard legislative allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five days, funded from the House of Representatives' existing appropriations.
• Paragraph 6 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-04-02House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-03-31House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-27House Hopper (House)

• Joseph Gullett (R, HD-019)Primary sponsor

• animal cruelty
• cockfighting
• criminal law
• legislative study committees