House Information Office
Room 505, Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
1-800-282-5800 404-656-5082
2-1952-5106 For Immediate Release:
February 2, 2004
Porter Aims to Preserve Sportsman's Rights
Legislation Proposes to Amend Constitution
Atlanta Speaker Pro Tem DuBose Porter, (D-Dublin), and several other rural House lawmakers in the House of Representatives announce the passage of HR 985 that would allow a referendum to establish hunting and fishing as a right protected by the Georgia constitution. The measure requires enactment by the Legislature and a vote by the general electorate in the November election. Along with Porter, other sponsors of the legislation include Representatives Greg Morris (D-Vidalia), Bob Lane (D-Statesboro), Majority Leader Jimmy Skipper (D-Americus) and House Speaker Terry Coleman (D-Eastman).
Voters would have a "yes" or "no" question on the ballot asking "Shall the Constitution be amended so as to provide that the tradition of Fishing and Hunting and the taking of fish and wildlife shall be preserved for the people and shall be managed by law and regulation for the public good?"
"What we are trying to do is ensure the right to hunt and fish under Georgia's Constitution because so many of Georgia's citizens enjoy these activities and they have a tremendous impact on the state's economy," said Porter. "It is around $4 billion annually."
"Hunting and fishing are valued traditions in rural Georgia that need to be preserved for future generations," said Speaker Coleman. "I am glad to see the House take action on this important resolution that will add language to the Georgia constitution protecting hunting and fishing."
"Many of my constituents are in favor of adding this language to the constitution," said Majority Leader Skipper. "They feel that anything we can do to protect hunting and fishing is good. I see this constitutional amendment passing by a large margin in November."
The House of Representatives adopted HR 985 overwhelmingly by a vote of 154-14. It now awaits approval by the Senate.
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For further information please contact Rep. Porter at 404-656-5072.