HR 452: Georgia Forestry Commission and others; commend

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives rather than a bill that changes state law. It formally recognizes the Georgia Forestry Commission, which has operated since 1921, as an emergency response agency for its work fighting wildfires and assisting with prescribed burning across the state. The resolution also commends specific award winners from 2024: the Worth County Unit for its Unit of the Year for Service award, the Fannin/Towns/Union Unit for its Unit of the Year for Community Engagement award, Clark Rountree for Wildland Firefighter of the Year, and Kevin Lee for Forester of the Year. It directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to State Forester John Sabo. The resolution does not create any new requirements, funding, or penalties.

• Formally recognizes the Georgia Forestry Commission as an emergency response agency within Georgia House proceedings.
• Commends the Worth County Unit for being named 2024 Unit of the Year for Service.
• Commends the Fannin/Towns/Union Unit for being named 2024 Unit of the Year for Community Engagement.
• Commends Clark Rountree as 2024 Wildland Firefighter of the Year and Kevin Lee as 2024 Forester of the Year.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to State Forester John Sabo.

This resolution directly names and honors the Georgia Forestry Commission, its Worth County and Fannin/Towns/Union units, and employees Clark Rountree and Kevin Lee. It does not impose obligations on the public, businesses, or other government agencies.

Because this is a commendation resolution, it has no legal effect and changes no Georgia law, funding, or agency duties. Its practical significance is symbolic: it gives official House recognition to the Forestry Commission's wildfire response work and to individual and unit award winners.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe the Georgia Forestry Commission's mission since 1921 and its response to an average of 3,000 wildfires burning 18,500 acres per year.
• The first resolving clause has the House recognize the Georgia Forestry Commission as an emergency response agency.
• The second resolving clause commends the Worth County Unit, the Fannin/Towns/Union Unit, Clark Rountree, and Kevin Lee by name for their 2024 awards.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to provide a copy of the resolution to State Forester John Sabo.

1. 2025-02-28House Read and Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2025-02-28House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2025-02-28House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Bill Yearta (R, HD-152)Patrocinador principal
• Johnny Chastain (R, HD-007)
• Stan Gunter (R, HD-008)
• Noel Williams (R, HD-148)
• Gary Richardson (R, HD-125)
• Robert Dickey (R, HD-134)

• Georgia Forestry Commission
• wildfire response
• legislative commendation
• forest management