HR160: HR160 Taiwan; relations with the United States and the State of Georgia; commend

This resolution does not change Georgia law. It is a statement from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizing Taiwan's relationship with the United States and with Georgia, citing trade figures, Taiwan's $200,000 donation for Hurricane Helene relief, and events marking the Taiwan Relations Act's 45th anniversary. The House uses the resolution to voice support for ongoing US-Taiwan trade talks, encourages Georgia to open a trade office in Taiwan and organize a trade delegation, and backs the House's Taiwan Caucus and Taiwan's participation in international organizations. It also supports an education cooperation agreement with Taiwan and encourages Georgians to observe Taiwanese American Heritage Week. The Clerk of the House is directed to send copies to the Governor, Secretary of State, Georgia's congressional delegation, and the head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta.

• Formally commends Taiwan for its relationship with the United States and the State of Georgia without creating any new law or funding.
• States House support for continued talks under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and a proposed US-Taiwan tax agreement.
• Encourages the State of Georgia to open a trade office in Taiwan, organize a trade delegation, and join Taiwan's annual Smart City forum.
• Expresses support for the legislature's Taiwan Caucus and for Taiwan's participation in international bodies like the WHO and INTERPOL.
• Supports a proposed education cooperation agreement with Taiwan and encourages Georgians to take part in Taiwanese American Heritage Week.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to the Governor, Secretary of State, Georgia's congressional delegation, and Taiwan's Atlanta representative.

The resolution mainly affects state officials and lawmakers, including the Governor, Secretary of State, and Georgia's congressional delegation, as well as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta. It could indirectly touch Georgia businesses trading with Taiwan and students involved in language or exchange programs.

Because it is a resolution rather than a law, it carries no binding requirements or funding, but it signals the Georgia House's political stance in favor of expanding Georgia's trade and cultural ties with Taiwan, which could encourage future state action like opening a trade office.

• The whereas clauses cite trade data, including that Taiwan was Georgia's 15th largest import and 17th largest export market in 2023.
• The first resolved clause supports continued US-Taiwan trade talks and encourages Georgia to open a trade office in Taiwan and organize a trade delegation.
• The second resolved clause backs the House's Taiwan Caucus and Taiwan's participation in groups like the WHO, ICAO, INTERPOL, CPTPP, and IPEF.
• The third resolved clause supports an education cooperation agreement with Taiwan and encourages participation in Taiwanese American Heritage Week.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to the Governor, Secretary of State, the congressional delegation, and Taiwan's Atlanta office director.

1. 2025-02-04House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-02-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-04House Hopper (House)

• Karen Lupton (D, HD-083)Primary sponsor
• Matthew Gambill (R, HD-015)
• Jan Jones (R, HD-047)
• Bruce Williamson (R, HD-112)
• Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)

• Taiwan relations
• international trade
• Georgia foreign relations
• education exchange
• Hurricane Helene relief