HR 1949: House Study Committee on Gamecock Fighting in Georgia; create

Gamecock fighting, in which roosters bred for aggression are pitted against each other, is currently illegal under federal law, and the resolution notes Georgia is the only state where it is not a felony under state law. This resolution does not change any criminal penalties itself. Instead it creates the House Study Committee on Gamecock Fighting in Georgia to look into the issue. The committee would have five House members, three appointed by the Speaker and two by the House Minority Leader, with the Speaker naming the chairperson. It would study the problems described in the resolution, including gambling, drug activity, and violence associated with gamecock fighting derbies, and recommend legislation. Members would receive standard legislative allowances for up to five days of meetings, funded through the House's existing budget. The committee would automatically dissolve on December 1, 2026.

• Creates the House Study Committee on Gamecock Fighting in Georgia to examine the issue and recommend legislation.
• Sets the committee's membership at five House members, three chosen by the Speaker and two by the House Minority Leader.
• Directs the committee to study criminal penalties, gambling, and other problems linked to gamecock fighting derbies.
• Authorizes standard legislative per diem and travel allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five meeting days, paid from House funds.
• Automatically abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

Members of the Georgia House of Representatives appointed to the committee, and more broadly anyone involved in or affected by gamecock fighting, including breeders, organizers, and law enforcement agencies that currently handle it as a lesser offense under Georgia law.

The resolution itself changes no laws or penalties, but it sets up a formal process for lawmakers to gather information and could lead to a future bill making gamecock fighting a felony in Georgia, closing what the resolution describes as a gap compared to other states.

• Paragraph 1 creates the House Study Committee on Gamecock Fighting in Georgia.
• Paragraph 2 sets committee membership at five House members and specifies appointment by the Speaker (three) and Minority Leader (two), with the Speaker naming the chairperson.
• Paragraph 3 charges the committee with studying gamecock fighting issues and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph 5 authorizes legislative allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five paid days unless extended, funded through House appropriations.
• Paragraph 6 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

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

• Joseph Gullett (R, HD-019)Patrocinador principal

• animal cruelty
• gamecock fighting
• criminal penalties
• legislative study committee