Committee OKs transferring forester registration to Georgia Forestry Commission

Representative John Corbett presented House Bill 53 (LC 442677s), saying the bill moves the Board of Registrations for Foresters from the Secretary of State's office to the Georgia Forestry Commission to improve efficiency and local responsiveness.

"What we're doing with this bill is simply we're moving the board of registrations for foresters from the secretary of state's office to the forestry commission," Corbett said, adding that the forestry commission has field offices statewide and investigative capacity that makes the move logical.

Corbett told the committee the bill sets a yearly registration fee of $200 (for a two-year cycle) and estimated 900 to 1,000 registered foresters in the state; he said that fee structure would generate roughly $180,000 to $200,000 over the biennium, covering the $90,000 annual administrative cost the Forestry Commission had flagged.

Committee members asked whether the fee would go to the Board or the general fund; Corbett said revenue would go to the general fund and require appropriation. Senators expressed support for placing responsibility in a more appropriate state agency. A senator moved that the bill do pass; the motion was seconded and the committee voted the motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: The committee-approved bill will be carried to the Senate by a senator the sponsor identifies; committee passage clears the way for consideration on the Senate floor.