ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives today passed House Bill 1005 by a vote of 152 to 2. This legislation, introduced by state Representative Katie Dempsey (R- Rome), creates a specialty tag for Zoo Atlanta. In addition, the bill will allow the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to direct funds from the sale of their existing Georgia license plate to their educational scholarship fund.
“Zoo Atlanta is one of our oldest cultural destinations in Georgia and serves as an informative and educational experience for visitors from all over the world,” said Representative Dempsey. “This specialty plate will serve as point of pride for supporters of Zoo Atlanta, while giving Georgians the choice to spend a few extra dollars and help the zoo take care of its needs.”
Specialty tags are available for an additional $25 manufacturing fee and a $25 annual registration fee, for a total initial cost of $50. Of that, $10 of the annual registration fee will go to the designated cause of the particular specialty tag.
Zoo Atlanta will use the revenue generated by the new specialty tag to carry out the responsible stewardship of the animals and the zoo facility, safeguard existing species through conservation, and encourage visitors to value wildlife on earth.
The state of Georgia already currently offers a specialty tag for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the oldest sorority for African-American women. This legislation allows Alpha Kappa Alpha to designate the revenue generated by this existing specialty plate to be used solely to support their Education Scholarship Fund.
“Zoo Atlanta and Alpha Kappa Alpha are two very good examples of non-profit organizations that have created a partnership with the state that will enable them to thrive for the years ahead,” said Representative Dempsey.
Zoo Atlanta was founded in 1889 and hosted approximately 700,000 guests last year. The institution collaborates with several colleges and universities in the state of Georgia to further animal research and conservation. It has also partnered with the Georgia Department of Economic Development to maintain and strengthen Georgia’s relationship with China through the Giant Panda Program, as well as worked with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources on confiscated exotic animal quarantine.
A link to HB 1005 can be found by clicking here.
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Representative Katie Dempsey represents the citizens of District 13, which includes portions of Floyd County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2006, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman for Higher Education and Secretary for the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee. She also serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Health & Human Services, and Rules Committees.