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HR 1793

Georgia Department of Natural Resources; establish regulations for placement of lifeguards on Georgia's public beaches during times of high occupancy; urge

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bryce Berry and 4 co-sponsors

Georgia law would require lifeguards on public beaches during peak occupancy to improve water safety and reduce drowning deaths.

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Bill Summary · HR 1793

Legislative bill overview

HR 1793 directs the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to establish regulations requiring lifeguard placement on Georgia's public beaches during periods of high occupancy. The bill urges implementation of these safety standards to reduce drowning incidents and improve public safety at popular beach destinations.

Why is this important

Beach drowning deaths represent a significant public health concern, with unguarded beaches carrying substantially higher fatality rates. Establishing regulatory requirements for lifeguard presence during peak usage periods could prevent deaths and injuries while standardizing safety protocols across Georgia's public beaches.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding and cost allocation: Unclear who bears the expense of hiring and training lifeguards—local municipalities, the state, or beach operators—which could strain budgets in smaller coastal communities
  • Definition of "high occupancy": The bill lacks specific metrics for what constitutes high occupancy, potentially creating enforcement ambiguity and disputes over when lifeguards must be deployed
  • Private beach implications: Uncertainty about whether regulations apply only to state-managed public beaches or extend to privately-owned public access beaches, affecting property owners' operational costs and liability

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

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