Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia SB478: Outdoor Stewardship; provide for a sunset
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 6A of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to outdoor stewardship, so as to provide for a sunset; to raise the percentage of moneys appropriated; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Chapter 6A of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to outdoor stewardship, so as to provide for a sunset; to raise the percentage of moneys appropriated; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Chapter 6A of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to outdoor stewardship, so as to provide for a sunset; to raise the percentage of moneys appropriated; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Chapter 6A of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to outdoor stewardship, is amended by revising Code Section 12-6A-2, relating to purpose of funding protection of conservation land, as follows: "12-6A-2. (a) This chapter is enacted pursuant to Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI(p)(q) of the Constitution, which authorizes up to 80 percent of all moneys received by the state from the sales and use tax collected by outdoor recreation equipment establishments classified under the 2007 North American Industry Classification Code 451110, sporting goods stores in the immediately preceding fiscal year to be dedicated to the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund for the purpose of funding the protection of conservation land. S. B. LC 44 3535S (b) This chapter shall remain in effect until June 30, 2039, pursuant to Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI(q) of the Constitution." SECTION 2. Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 12-6A-5, relating to establishment of the Georgia …
Sponsors
- Lynn Smith (R, HD-070) · primary sponsor
- Watson, Sam (R, 11) · primary sponsor
- Jason Anavitarte (R, 31)
- Larry Walker (R, 20)
- Lee Anderson (R, 24)
- Russ Goodman (R, 8)
- Steve Gooch (R, 51)
- Drew Echols (R, 49)
- Kay Kirkpatrick (R, 32)
- Shawn Still (R, 48)
- Clint Dixon (R, 45)
- Randy Robertson (R, 29)
Latest actions
- : Veto V11
- : Senate Date Signed by Governor
- : Senate Sent to Governor
- : Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
- : House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : House Second Readers
- : House First Readers
- : Senate Passed/Adopted
Votes
- Senate Vote #917 (March 31, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Vote #773 (March 27, 2026): 163 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Senate Vote #616 (March 4, 2026): 55 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB478?
- SB478 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Outdoor Stewardship; provide for a sunset.
- What does SB478 do?
- In its own words: To amend Chapter 6A of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to outdoor stewardship, so as to provide for a sunset; to raise the percentage of moneys appropriated; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of SB478?
- Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Veto V11 (May 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB478?
- Lynn Smith (R, HD-070), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB478?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72998
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.