HB65: HB65 State symbols; designate collard greens as official state greens; potlikka as official state dipping sauce of the official state bread

25 LC 44 2911 House Bill 65 By: Representatives Moore of the 91st, Carpenter of the 4th, Dunahoo of the 31st, Drenner of the 85th, Crowe of the 118th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to other state symbols, so as to designate collard greens as the official state greens,2 with "potlikka" as the official state dipping sauce of the offi cial state bread; to provide3 legislative findings and declarations; to provide for related m atters; to provide for a4 contingent effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal confl icting laws; and for other5 purposes.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7 SECTION 1.8 The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:9 (1) The colorful history and traditions of the State of Georgia are inextricably associated10 with the food traditions of root vegetables and greens, which are chock-full of vitamins11 and minerals that are healthy for us, and among the many legacies of this proud heritage12 is the delicious dish and its liquid, a dipping sauce known as collard greens with13 "potlikka";14 (2) Collard greens' "potlikka" serves as an especially excelle nt dipping sauce for all15 manner of breads;16 H. B. 65 - 1 - 25 LC 44 2911 (3) During the holidays, tens of thousands of Georgians especi ally enjoy dipping17 cornbread, the official Georgia state bread, in their collard greens with "potlikka";18 (4) Collard greens with "potlikka" enjoy a singular stature in Georgia history and culture19 that is rivaled only by its undeniable appeal as a unique and satisfying food. Establishing20 collard greens as the official Georgia state greens and "potlikka" as the official Georgia21 state dipping sauce of the official Georgia state bread is necessary to fully recognize the22 importance of this product to this state; and23 (5) The State of Georgia is the second highest producer in the country of collards, with24 almost 20 percent of the state's farmed acreage and almost 30,0 00 acres devoted to the25 crop.26 SECTION 2.27 Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other28 state symbols, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:29 "50-3-94.30 Collard greens are designated as the official Georgia state gre ens, and 'potlikka' is31 designated as the official Georgia state dipping sauce of the official Georgia state bread."32 SECTION 3.33 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2025, only if an Act to provide for the designation34 of cornbread as the official Georgia state bread becomes effective on or before July 1, 2025. 35 If such an Act does not become law, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand36 repealed on July 1, 2025.37 SECTION 4.38 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.39 H. B. 65 - 2 -