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Senate Resolution 323
By: Senators Echols of the 49th, Beach of the 21st, Watson of the 11th, Bearden of the 30th,
Burns of the 23rd and others
ADOPTED SENATE
A RESOLUTION
Creating the Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism; and
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for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, Georgia has a robust history that demonstrates the resilience and strength of a3
diverse population, from being a cultural center for Native American tribes, the last British4
colony on mainland North America and playing a strategic role in the American Revolution,5
through the Civil War and Reconstruction, surviving the Great Depression, and to the Civil6
Rights movement; and7
WHEREAS, Georgia hosts an amazing collection of local celebrations and festivals for both8
locals and visitors to enjoy, such as the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Oktoberfest in Helen, the9
International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, and the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in10
Savannah; and11
WHEREAS, Georgia has a collection of fantastic sports teams for fans of all sports to cheer12
on to victory, including but not limited to the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta13
Hawks, Atlanta United, University of Georgia Bulldogs, and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets;14
and15
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WHEREAS, Georgia has beautiful vistas and natural resources meant to be seen and savored,
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including mountains, canyons, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and beaches; and17
WHEREAS, Georgia is a popular tourist destination with many attractions, including historic18
sites, engaging museums, cultural destinations, sporting events, entertainment venues, and19
outdoor activities; and20
WHEREAS, in 2023, Georgia travel and tourism generated a $79.7 billion state wide21
economic impact with more than $5 billion collected in state and local tax revenues; and22
WHEREAS, Atlanta is scheduled to host eight FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, and each23
match in Atlanta is expected to generate $4.6 million in global media exposure; and24
WHEREAS, a study committee is needed to discover opportunities to promote and develop25
tourism in all regions of the state, from small towns to big cities, to ensure Georgia becomes26
the number one state for tourism.27
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE:28
(1) Creation of Senate study committee. There is created the Senate Study Committee29
on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism.30
(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of five members of the31
Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, with one member selected from the32
Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, one member from the Senate33
Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, and one member from the Senate34
Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment. The remaining two members35
shall be selected from the Senate body based on their interest and experience in tourism. 36
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The President shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the
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committee.38
(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,39
issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or40
legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.41
(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee42
may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or43
convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and44
accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.45
(5) Allowances and funding. The legislative members of the committee shall receive46
the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia47
Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any48
member of the committee for more than four days unless additional days are authorized. 49
Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds50
appropriated to the Senate.51
(6) Report.52
(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that53
include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the54
same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to55
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.56
(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for57
proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C)58
of this paragraph.59
(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of60
abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee.61
A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with62
the Secretary of the Senate.63
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(D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Secretary
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of the Senate a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.65
(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.66
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