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Member previews changes to Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act funding formula, says state lost $7 million last year

State House Natural Resources Committee · February 24, 2026

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Summary

A committee member previewed House Bill 919 to revisit the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act funding share (now 40%) and remove penalty provisions; member cited an estimated $7 million revenue decline and signaled further work next year to increase land-preservation funds.

A committee member briefly previewed House Bill 919, describing an intent to revisit the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act (GOSA) funding formula. The speaker said GOSA currently directs 40% of proceeds from certain sales of outdoor sporting goods toward land preservation and related purposes and suggested the proposal would consider raising that share or removing penalty rules that reduced revenues.

The member asserted the state ‘‘lost about $7,000,000 last year’’ because of the way GOSA’s penalties are structured; they said adjustments could increase funding for land preservation, parks, and trails and discussed the possibility of pursuing a constitutional amendment to raise the share if desired.

The speaker framed the proposal as forward-looking and indicated the measure would be pursued more fully next year; no committee vote was taken on HB 919 during this meeting.