HR 655: House Study Committee on Gaming in the State of Georgia; create

House Resolution 655

By: Representatives Powell of the 33rd, Blackmon of the 146th, and Stephens of the 164th

A RESOLUTION

Creating the House Study Committee on Gaming in the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Georgia General Assembly has long considered multiple legislative measures to permit the voters of Georgia to decide whether or not to allow the state and its counties to decide whether or not to authorize or opt in to land based destination resort casinos, pari-mutuel and fixed-odds horse racing, and whether or not to permit digital, retail, and on-premise sports betting; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly needs to determine how legalization of gaming in this state if approved by the people and enabled by the General Assembly would contribute to the economy and workforce development of this state as to revenue expectations and quality of jobs being available when weighed against what social and societal ills may come to Georgia if gaming is approved by the citizens of this state; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly needs to determine if the legalization of gaming would also increase tax revenues for Georgia and aid in meeting the budgetary demands of government; and

WHEREAS, many of our citizens travel substantial distances to engage in gaming activities and enjoy the resort atmosphere in states such as Nevada, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, and Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, if gaming was expanded in this state, the money spent in other states might remain with the industries and tax revenues of this state; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia has a large agricultural industry that contributes significantly to the economy of this state and a portion of that industry is involved with the breeding, raising, and training of horses; and

WHEREAS, the legalization of horse racing and pari-mutuel betting in this state could aid in the further development and expansion of Georgia's horse breeding and raising industry and foster its contribution to the economy of this state; and

WHEREAS, the financial implications for the state of such potential legalization as well as previously considered measures by the General Assembly to improve Georgia's economy deserve to be further considered and studied along with the social, fiscal, and economic impacts and the financial viability of such endeavors.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

(1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee on Gaming in the State of Georgia.

(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of seven members. The members of the committee shall be the chairpersons of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the House Committee on Regulated Industries, and the House Committee on Economic Development and four other members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to serve as chairperson of the committee.

(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee shall hold at least four public hearings at various locations throughout this state and at least one meeting to discuss and finalize findings. Such hearings and meeting shall be conducted at such places and at such times as deemed necessary or convenient to enable the committee to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.

(5) Allowances and funding.

(A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

(B) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds appropriated to the House of Representatives.

(6) Report. The committee shall adopt specific findings or recommendations that include proposed legislation, and the chairperson shall file a report of the same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution.

(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.