Senator Bo Hatchett of Georgia’s District 50 says Senate Bill 148 is designed to help students become more well-rounded by exposing them to lessons they may not learn elsewhere, emphasizing the value of hands-on outdoor education. Supporters note that similar curriculum has been taught in Georgia schools for decades, and they say this bill reinforces the importance of outdoor learning while formalizing hunter education and outdoor classroom opportunities.

Senate Bill 148 provides outdoor learning and hunter education for students in grades 6 through 12, to be taught by a certified teacher or a Georgia Hunter Educator. Walter Lane, Assistant Chief of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Communication, Education and Outreach sector, says the program is intended to develop safe, responsible, and legal hunters, with instruction that could include tree stand safety, wildlife identification, and fire zones.

Senator Hatchett says his own school experience included an outdoor classroom near a river and that hands-on learning helped inspire him to sponsor the bill. The Georgia Department of Education has until Wednesday, April 1, 2026 to establish policies and standards related to implementing the new law.