08 LC
25 5253
House
Resolution 1630
By:
Representatives Dukes of the
150th,
Reece of the
11th,
Greene of the
149th,
Shaw of the
176th,
Parrish of the
156th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the Department of Natural Resources to reconsider the decision to sell hunting
and fishing licenses via an Internet, web based licensing system; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
resident Georgia hunting and fishing licenses have been available throughout
this state from approximately 1,100 licensing agents in many sporting goods
stores, marinas, bait and tackle stores, hardware stores, and other private
places of business, and most license dealers have also sold nonresident
licenses; and
WHEREAS,
the ability of such businesses to sell licenses on their premises in many cases
leads to concurrent retail sales of other goods and services by such businesses
when license applicants enter those places of business; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Department of Natural Resources´ Wildlife Resources Division is
adopting a real-time, web based licensing system by outsourcing licensing
services to Capital Bank in Missouri; and
WHEREAS,
the Macon
Telegraph has quoted Todd Holbrook,
assistant director of the Wildlife Resources Division, as stating that this
state has been averaging 800,000 to 850,000 licensing transactions annually, but
that he thinks the new system will change the buying habits of hunters and
fishermen; and that instead of going to the store to purchase a fishing license
in the spring, then a hunting license just before dove season, and then a big
game license for deer season, they will buy them all at once via the new system;
and
WHEREAS,
such new licensing system is likely to have significant, detrimental economic
effects on current store based licensing agents, especially "mom-and-pop" stores
and bait shops, due to the need for such stores and shops to purchase computers,
printers, and high-speed Internet service if they wish to access the new system,
which many may not be able to afford; and
WHEREAS,
some have estimated that the loss of store based licensing agencies may leave up
to 56 of Georgia´s 159 counties without a single local licensing agent for
walk-in customers, whereas at present, there are only five counties without at
least one; and
WHEREAS,
such web based licensing system will also result in increased costs to persons
purchasing hunting and fishing licenses due to an added $2.75 transaction fee
imposed for purchasing licenses through such system; and
WHEREAS,
such add-on transaction fees will go to Capital Bank and its partners,
Infospherix and Automated Licensing Systems, and it is detrimental to
Georgia´s economy to unnecessarily send millions of dollars out of
state.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body urge the Department of Natural Resources to reconsider the decision to
sell hunting and fishing licenses via an Internet, web based licensing
system.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the Department
of Natural Resources and the Governor.