HB366: HB366 State holidays; Heritage and Freedom Flag of the Former Republic of Vietnam Day; designate April 29 of each year

This bill adds a new section to Georgia's holidays and observances law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 4 of Title 1) creating a day of recognition rather than a paid state holiday. It designates April 29 of each year as 'Heritage and Freedom Flag of the Former Republic of Vietnam Day' in Georgia. The bill includes legislative findings explaining the purpose: the Former Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) was a U.S. ally during the Vietnam War, many South Vietnamese fled to Georgia after the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, and Vietnamese Americans have since contributed across many fields in the state. The bill repeals any conflicting laws but does not create new funding, mandates, or legal obligations beyond the designation itself.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 1-4-27) designating April 29 of each year as 'Heritage and Freedom Flag of the Former Republic of Vietnam Day' in Georgia.
• States legislative findings recognizing South Vietnam as a U.S. wartime ally and honoring Vietnamese Americans' contributions to Georgia.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with this designation.
• Does not establish a paid state holiday, close government offices, or create any new spending or enforcement mechanism.

The designation primarily concerns Vietnamese American communities in Georgia, especially those with ties to South Vietnam and the post-1975 refugee experience. It does not impose obligations on businesses, schools, or government agencies beyond formally recognizing the day.

The bill would give official state recognition to a specific date tied to Vietnamese American history and heritage in Georgia. It carries symbolic weight for that community but does not change work schedules, school calendars, or government operations, since it is not a paid holiday.

• Section 1 lays out legislative findings about South Vietnam's wartime alliance with the United States and the post-1975 migration of South Vietnamese families to Georgia.
• Section 2 adds new Code section 1-4-27, formally designating April 29 as 'Heritage and Freedom Flag of the Former Republic of Vietnam Day' in Georgia.
• Section 3 repeals any laws in conflict with the new designation.

1. 2025-02-12House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-11House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-10House Hopper (House)

• Long Tran (D, HD-080)Primary sponsor
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Bill Hitchens (R, HD-161)
• Floyd Griffin (D, HD-149)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)

• state holidays
• Vietnamese American heritage
• Georgia history
• cultural recognition