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Bill

SR 323

Commending Evan Kinsel.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Danica Roem

Creates a temporary Senate study committee to study and recommend actions to promote Georgia tourism and aim to make Georgia the No. 1 tourism state.

Bill text as passed Senate (SR323ER)
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Bill Summary · SR 323

Summary — SR 323 (Senate Resolution 323)

Title: MEMORIAL — RYLEE D. BRITTON (caption appears but substantive text creates a tourism study committee)
Status: Resolution Adopted
Introduced: March 21, 2025 — Adopted May 22, 2025

Overview / Purpose

SR 323 creates a temporary Senate Study Committee charged with identifying opportunities to promote and develop tourism across Georgia with the goal of making Georgia “the No. 1 State for Tourism.” The resolution cites Georgia tourism statistics (a $79.7 billion statewide economic impact in 2023 and more than $5 billion in state and local tax revenues) and notes upcoming global exposure related to Atlanta hosting eight FIFA World Cup 2026 matches (each match estimated to generate $4.6 million in global media exposure).

Key provisions

  • Creates the “Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism.”
  • Committee duties: study the conditions, needs, issues, and problems related to tourism in Georgia and recommend actions or legislation as appropriate.
  • Reporting: If the committee adopts findings or recommendations (with or without proposed legislation), the chair must file a report with the Secretary of the Senate before the committee is abolished. No report may be filed unless approved by majority vote of a quorum. If no approved report exists, the chair may file meeting minutes instead.
  • Sunset: the committee is abolished on December 1, 2025.

Membership, officers, and operations

  • Size: five members of the Georgia Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate.
  • Required representation:
    • 1 member from the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
    • 1 member from the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism
    • 1 member from the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment
    • 2 other senators selected for interest/experience in tourism
  • The President of the Senate will designate the chairperson.
  • The chair calls committee meetings; meetings may be held at times and places the committee deems necessary.

Allowances and funding

  • Legislative members receive allowances as provided by O.C.G.A. § 28‑1‑8.
  • Substitute version limits authorized allowance days to a maximum of four days per member unless additional days are authorized (earlier draft allowed five days).
  • Funds to carry out the resolution come from funds appropriated to the Senate.

Procedural timeline / actions (selected)

  • Introduced: March 21, 2025 (received by Secretary of the Senate)
  • Committee actions: Referred and reported favorably by substitute in March 2025; substitute adopted by Senate
  • Read & adopted: March 25, 2025; final adoption reported May 22, 2025
  • Reported enrolled: March 25, 2025
  • Filed with Secretary / added cosponsors and referral to Resolutions Consent Calendar in May 2025

Sponsors / Supporters

Primary sponsors listed include Senators RaShaun Kemp, Marty Harbin, Greg Dolezal, Sally Harrell, Shawn Still, Bo Hatchett, Drew Echols, Brandon Beach, Max Burns, Timothy Bearden, Carden Summers, Frank Ginn, Chuck Hufstetler, Josh McLaurin, Russ Goodman, Sam Watson, Jason Esteves, and Kay Kirkpatrick. Additional procedural entries indicate co-sponsorship by all senators and later addition of Sen. Steve McClure as chief co-sponsor.

Who is affected / likely impact

  • Statewide tourism stakeholders (local tourism offices, attractions, festivals, sports venues, historic sites, outdoor recreation operators)
  • Local governments and economic development organizations that depend on tourism revenues
  • Georgia Department of Economic Development / Explore Georgia and other state agencies that coordinate tourism promotion
  • Potential legislative or policy changes could follow if the committee recommends statutory or budgetary actions before December 1, 2025

Notes & anomaly

  • The file includes text from an Illinois Senate memorial resolution honoring Rylee Denae Britton (an unrelated memorial). The SR 323 text adopted by the Georgia Senate, sponsors list, and procedural history reflect a Georgia Senate study-committee resolution on tourism. The caption indicating “MEMORIAL — RYLEE D. BRITTON” appears inconsistent with the substantive tourism study-committee language.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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