25 LC 44 3118S
House Bill 432 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
By: Representatives Kelley of the 16
th
, Rhodes of the 124
th
, Cannon of the 172
nd
, Dunahoo
of the 31
st
, Chastain of the 7
th
, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
1
relating to hunting, trapping, or fishing, so as to provide for Georgia turkey permits and2
stamps; to provide for fees; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for3
other purposes.4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5
SECTION 1.6
Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to7
hunting, trapping, or fishing, is amended in Code Section 27-2-3, relating to effective periods8
of hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses generally and multiyear licenses, by revising9
subsection (a) as follows:10
"(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided, all hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses,11
including without limitation commercial fishing and commercial fishing boat licenses12
issued pursuant to Code Section 27-2-8, shall be effective from April 1 to March 31 of the13
following year; except that all annual, two-year, or other multiyear hunting, fishing, and14
hunting and fishing combination licenses issued pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (4) of15
Code Section 27-2-23 shall be effective through the applicable one-year, two-year, or16
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multiyear anniversary of the date of issuance. If a person possesses a valid annual,
17
two-year, or other multiyear hunting, fishing, or hunting and fishing combination license18
at the time of sale of one or more annual, two-year, or other multiyear licenses with19
identical privileges to the valid license, the new license or licenses shall become effective20
when the original license expires and shall remain valid through the full applicable period. 21
The department may specify the effective dates and term of the following licenses or22
permits:23
(1) The Georgia waterfowl and migratory bird stamp to meet requirements of Code24
Section 27-2-20;25
(2) The free Georgia salt water fishing endorsement to meet requirements of Code26
Section 27-2-20.1; and
27
(3) Any permit or requirement authorized by Code Section 27-3-29 regarding harvest28
recording and reporting; and29
(4) The Georgia turkey permit to meet requirements of Code Section 27-2-6."30
SECTION 2.31
Said article is further amended in Code Section 27-2-6, relating to trout license, Georgia32
waterfowl and migratory bird stamp, big game license, and alligator harvest permit, by33
adding a new subsection to read as follows:34
"(g)(1) Effective July 1, 2026, it shall be unlawful for any person 16 years of age or older35
to hunt turkey in this state unless such person has a Georgia turkey permit in his or her36
possession in addition to all other required hunting licenses. Any resident of this state37
may be issued a Georgia turkey permit at no cost, and the fee for such permit for38
nonresidents shall be $100.00.39
(2) By July 1, 2026, the department shall design and sell a collectible Georgia turkey40
stamp. Purchase of such turkey stamp shall be voluntary and shall not be required in41
order to hunt turkeys in this state. The board shall be authorized to promulgate rules and42
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regulations to administer this subsection and shall establish appropriate fees for the43
collectible Georgia turkey stamp.44
(3) Any fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be retained by the department45
pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 45-12-92.1."46
SECTION 3.47
Said article is further amended in Code Section 27-2-23, relating to license, permit, tag, and48
stamp fees, by adding new subparagraphs to paragraph (1) to read as follows:49
"(N) Resident Georgia turkey permit50 Annual 0.00
(O) Nonresident Georgia turkey permit51 Annual 100.00"
SECTION 4.
52
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.53
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