25 LC 28 0695
House Resolution 655
By: Representatives Powell of the 33
rd
, Blackmon of the 146
th
, and Stephens of the 164
th
A RESOLUTION
Creating the House Study Committee on Gaming in the State of Georgia; and for other
1
purposes.2
WHEREAS, the Georgia General Assembly has long considered multiple legislative3
measures to permit the voters of Georgia to decide whether or not to allow the state and its4
counties to decide whether or not to authorize or opt in to land based destination resort5
casinos, pari-mutuel and fixed-odds horse racing, and whether or not to permit digital, retail,6
and on-premise sports betting; and7
WHEREAS, the General Assembly needs to determine how legalization of gaming in this8
state if approved by the people and enabled by the General Assembly would contribute to the9
economy and workforce development of this state as to revenue expectations and quality of10
jobs being available when weighed against what social and societal ills may come to Georgia11
if gaming is approved by the citizens of this state; and12
WHEREAS, the General Assembly needs to determine if the legalization of gaming would13
also increase tax revenues for Georgia and aid in meeting the budgetary demands of14
government; and15
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WHEREAS, many of our citizens travel substantial distances to engage in gaming activities
16
and enjoy the resort atmosphere in states such as Nevada, Mississippi, Alabama, North17
Carolina, and Massachusetts; and18
WHEREAS, if gaming was expanded in this state, the money spent in other states might19
remain with the industries and tax revenues of this state; and20
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia has a large agricultural industry that contributes21
significantly to the economy of this state and a portion of that industry is involved with the22
breeding, raising, and training of horses; and23
WHEREAS, the legalization of horse racing and pari-mutuel betting in this state could aid24
in the further development and expansion of Georgia's horse breeding and raising industry25
and foster its contribution to the economy of this state; and26
WHEREAS, the financial implications for the state of such potential legalization as well as27
previously considered measures by the General Assembly to improve Georgia's economy28
deserve to be further considered and studied along with the social, fiscal, and economic29
impacts and the financial viability of such endeavors.30
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:31
(1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee32
on Gaming in the State of Georgia.33
(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of seven members. The 34
members of the committee shall be the chairpersons of the House Committee on Ways35
and Means, the House Committee on Regulated Industries, and the House Committee on36
Economic Development and four other members of the House of Representatives37
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appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be
38
designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to serve as chairperson of the39
committee.40
(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,41
issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or42
legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.43
(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee44
shall hold at least four public hearings at various locations throughout this state and at45
least one meeting to discuss and finalize findings. Such hearings and meeting shall be46
conducted at such places and at such times as deemed necessary or convenient to enable47
the committee to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and48
accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.49
(5) Allowances and funding.50
(A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided51
for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.52
(B) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member53
of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds54
necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds55
appropriated to the House of Representatives.56
(6) Report. The committee shall adopt specific findings or recommendations that57
include proposed legislation, and the chairperson shall file a report of the same prior to58
the date of abolishment specified in this resolution.59
(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.60
H. R. 655
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