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Senate unanimously backs expansion of Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund
Summary
The Senate approved SP 478 to extend and increase funding for the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, citing conservation, trail connectivity and water protection; the bill passed on final reading, recorded Yea 55, Nay 0.
The Georgia Senate voted unanimously to extend and increase the share of sales tax revenue directed to the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, a conservation and recreation program first approved by voters in 2018.
Senator Watson (11th), who presented SP 478, said the program has become "one of the most effective tools we have for protecting land, expanding access to nature, and strengthening our outdoor economy across the state," and described projects that connected trails and restored habitat in metro Atlanta. A floor sponsor said the bill would double the share of outdoor recreational sales tax revenue directed to the fund "from 40% to 80%" without creating a new tax.
The Senate agreed to the committee report and ordered the main question; the bill passed by recorded vote with 55 yeas and zero nays. Supporters said the funds will be used for conservation projects, access to parks and water-quality protection across rural and urban districts. No amendments that changed the bill's funding mechanism were adopted on the floor during this session.
