06 LC 21
8975S
The
Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee offered the following
substitute to HR 1226:
A
RESOLUTION
Authorizing
and directing the Department of Natural Resources to initiate a "Georgia Quail
Trail" and creating the Georgia Quail Trail Advisory Council; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
the bobwhite quail,
Georgiás
state game bird and known also as the "Prince of Game Birds," is one of the most
recognized and popular natural symbols of this state, and quail hunting in
Georgia is a time-honored tradition; and
WHEREAS,
supporting the quail hunting industry in this state provides jobs in and
supports recreation, tourism, retail sales, timber production, and agricultural
sectors, and the economic multiplier effect of quail hunting is paramount to the
success of both rural and urban service sectors in Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
promoting quail hunting provides benefits to other game and nongame species
dependent on quality bobwhite quail habitat and validates the need to protect
and conserve wildlife habitat critical to bobwhite quail and other species;
and
WHEREAS,
initiating a "Georgia Quail Trail" program that will link hunters to quail
hunting opportunities in this state by identifying, showcasing, and promoting
quail hunting venues and opportunities in this state will sustain and expand the
economic benefits of quail hunting in this state and provide additional
business, hunting, recreational, and educational opportunities; and
WHEREAS,
initiating a "Georgia Quail Trail" program will also support the Georgia
Bobwhite Quail Initiative, which is a voluntary and experimental program to
restore quality early successional habitat for bobwhite quail and other
wildlife, improve water quality, and reduce soil erosion and which was developed
by the Board of Natural Resources in consultation with key members of the
General Assembly and implemented by the Wildlife Resources Division of the
Department of Natural Resources.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
The
Department of Natural Resources is authorized and directed to initiate not later
than June 30, 2007, a "Georgia Quail Trail" program through the
department́s
website that will link hunters to quail hunting opportunities in this state by
identifying, showcasing, and promoting quail hunting venues and opportunities in
this state, subject to funds being available to the department for such
purposes. All revenues derived from the sale of advertising or promotion from
the Georgia Quail Trail or the Georgia Quail Trail Advisory Council shall be
paid into the general fund of the state treasury.
SECTION
2.
There
is created the Georgia Quail Trail Advisory Council in order to establish and
identify quail hunting industry needs and advise how to best meet the demand for
linking hunters to quail hunting opportunities in this state. The council shall
consist of 12 members. Two of the members of the council shall be the
chairperson of the Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee or his
or her designee and the chairperson the House Committee on Game, Fish, and Parks
or his or her designee, each of whom shall serve as co-chairs of the council.
Two members of the council shall be the chairpersons of the Senate Economic
Development Committee and the House Committee on Economic Development and
Tourism. Each co-chair shall appoint four additional councilmembers, for a
total of eight appointed members consisting of at least one appointee from each
of the five following entities, organizations, or groups: the Wildlife Resources
Division of the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Economic
Development, the Georgia chapter of Quail Unlimited (one member from the
northern part of this state and one member from the southern part of this
state), the Georgia Wildlife Federation, and active quail hunting industries and
related services. Such appointments shall be made not later than 90 days after
this resolution becomes effective, and the first meeting of the council shall be
held not later than 120 days after this resolution becomes effective. The
council may conduct such meetings at such times and places as it may deem
necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively perform
its duties and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.
Neither the legislative members of the council nor private individuals shall
receive any compensation for their service on the council. Members of the
council who are state officials, other than legislative members, and state
employees shall receive no compensation for their services on the council, but
they shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in the performance of
their duties as members of the council in the same manner as they are reimbursed
for expenses in their capacities as state officials or employees. The funds
necessary for the reimbursement of the expenses of state officials, other than
legislative members, and state employees shall come from funds appropriated to
or otherwise available to their respective departments. In the event the
council makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for
proposed legislation or measures for economic development and tourism, if any,
such report shall be made on or before August 1, 2006. The council shall stand
abolished on December 1, 2006.
SECTION
3.
This
resolution Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon
its becoming law without such approval.