ATLANTA – State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan), Chairman of the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee, today announced that Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 332 and House Resolution 238 into law on Monday, May 7, 2018. HB 332, the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act, and HR 238 are companion measures Rep. Smith co-sponsored during the 2018 legislative session that seek to protect and preserve conservation land in Georgia.
“I’m proud to announce that Gov. Deal has signed two measures into law that will greatly benefit our state’s conservation efforts,” said Rep. Smith. “Our beautiful state is worth protecting, and if approved by Georgia voters in November, the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund will help to preserve our state for generations to come. I’d like to extend my sincerest gratitude to my colleagues in the Georgia General Assembly and to Gov. Deal for supporting these critical measures.”
HB 332 and HR 238 seek to dedicate a portion of state sales and use tax collected on sporting goods equipment to state conservation efforts, which include grants and loans to support state and local parks and trails, the stewardship of conservation lands and the limited acquisition of land to support clean water, wildlife, hunting, fishing and natural resource-based outdoor recreation.
HR 238 provides a question on the 2018 general election ballot to allow Georgia voters to amend Georgia’s Constitution. If the amendment is approved by Georgia voters, the Georgia General Assembly would be authorized to dedicate up to 80 percent of all revenue received from the state’s portion of the sales and use tax collected on sporting goods equipment to the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. However, under the provisions of HB 332, only 40 percent of the state’s portion of the sales and use tax collected on sporting goods equipment would be dedicated to the fund at this time.
For more information on HB 332, please click here.
For more information on HR 238, please click here.
*Editor’s note: A photo of the HB 332 and HR 238 bill signing ceremony has been attached to this press release for your convenience.
Representative Lynn Smith represents the citizens of District 70, which includes portions of Carroll and Coweta counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 and currently serves as Chairman of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment and Rules committees.
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