Rep. Lynn Smith Applauds Final Passage of Legislation to Strengthen the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act

ATLANTA - State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan), chair of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, applauds the recent final passage of Senate Bill 478, legislation she carried on the House floor that would update the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act (GOSA).

"Georgia's natural resources are among our state's greatest assets, and this legislation ensures we continue making meaningful investments in preserving them for future generations," said Rep. Smith. "By extending the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act through 2039, we are reaffirming our commitment to protecting these resources for years to come. As the godmother of the GOSA Act, I am grateful to my colleagues in the House for their support of this measure and to Chairman Sam Watson for his collaborative efforts in advancing this important legislation."

SB 478 would establish a new sunset date of June 30, 2039, for the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act and expand the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund by requiring the General Assembly to appropriate 60 percent of sales and use taxes collected from sporting goods stores.

SB 478 now heads to the governor's desk for consideration.

The full text of SB 478 may be found here.

Representative Lynn Smith represents the citizens of District 70, which includes portions of Carroll and Coweta counties. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 and currently serves as Chair of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, Creative Arts & Entertainment, Economic Development & Tourism, Reapportionment and Redistricting, Rules and Small Business Development committees, as well as the Special Committee on Resource Management.

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