HB303: HB303 Original 33 Memorial Act; enact

In 1868, 33 African American men were elected to the Georgia General Assembly, among the first Black state legislators in the country. That September, they were expelled from the legislature. This bill creates a new article in Georgia law (Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated) to formally honor them. The bill names itself the 'Original 33 Memorial Act' and requires that a monument be placed on the state capitol grounds, or in another prominent location, to recognize the Original 33. The monument depends on private funds being available, meaning the state is not required to spend public money on it. Once funding exists, the bill says the monument should be procured and placed as soon as practicable, unless public safety concerns require a delay.

• Creates a new article in Georgia's code on state symbols (O.C.G.A. Chapter 3 of Title 50) dedicated to honoring the Original 33 legislators.
• Names the new law the 'Original 33 Memorial Act' as its official short title.
• Requires a monument honoring the Original 33 be placed on the capitol grounds or another prominent site, but only once private funding is secured.
• Directs that the monument be installed as soon as practicable after funding is available, unless a public safety concern justifies delay.
• Repeals any existing Georgia laws that conflict with this new requirement.

The bill primarily affects state officials responsible for capitol grounds and monuments, and it commemorates the legacy of the 33 Black men elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1868 who were later expelled. It also potentially involves private donors, since the monument depends on private funding rather than state funds.

If enacted, Georgia would have a permanent public monument recognizing legislators expelled for being Black shortly after Reconstruction. Because the monument depends entirely on private donations rather than tax dollars, whether and when it actually gets built depends on outside fundraising rather than a guaranteed state budget commitment.

• Section 1 adds Article 8 to Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, covering state flag, seal, and other symbols.
• New Code Section 50-3-130 establishes the short title, the 'Original 33 Memorial Act.'
• New Code Section 50-3-131(a) requires a monument to the Original 33 on the capitol grounds or another prominent place, conditioned on the availability of private funds.
• New Code Section 50-3-131(b) requires the monument to be procured and placed as soon as practicable unless public safety concerns warrant postponing it.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting Georgia laws.

1. 2025-05-01Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-05-01Act 47
3. 2025-05-01House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-31Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2025-03-21Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2025-03-20Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Carl Gilliard (D, HD-162)Primary sponsor
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-088)
• Karen Lupton (D, HD-083)
• Derrick Jackson (D, HD-068)
• Inga Willis (D, HD-055)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 28, 2025

   167 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 9 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #122

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 2 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #351

• Georgia history
• state capitol monuments
• civil rights history
• Reconstruction era
• Black legislators