SR148: SR148 Taiwan; recognize

This resolution praises Taiwan's relationship with the United States and Georgia, citing shared democratic values, trade ties worth an estimated $128 billion nationally, and Taiwan's status as one of Georgia's larger import and export partners in 2023. It also notes Taiwan's $200,000 donation for Hurricane Helene relief and a Georgia Aquarium event marking the Taiwan Relations Act's 45th anniversary. The resolution states that Senate members support continued talks on the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and a proposed US-Taiwan tax agreement, and encourages Georgia to open a trade office in Taiwan, organize a trade delegation there, and have city governments join an annual Smart City forum. It also backs a Taiwan Caucus, an education cooperation agreement, and Taiwanese American Heritage Week. As a resolution, it expresses the Senate's position rather than changing any Georgia statute, and directs copies be sent to the Governor, Secretary of State, Georgia's congressional delegation, and Taiwan's Atlanta office.

• States that Senate members support continued talks under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and a proposed US-Taiwan double taxation agreement.
• Encourages the State of Georgia to open a trade office in Taiwan and organize a trade delegation to attract investment.
• Encourages Georgia city governments to participate in Taiwan's annual Smart City forum.
• Expresses support for a Taiwan Caucus and for Taiwan's participation in international organizations such as the WHO, UNFCCC, ICAO, INTERPOL, CPTPP, and IPEF.
• Supports signing an education cooperation memorandum of understanding with Taiwan covering scholar, teacher, and student exchanges and a Chinese proficiency test option.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies of the resolution to the Governor, Secretary of State, Georgia's congressional delegation, and Taiwan's Atlanta representative office.

The resolution touches the Georgia Governor's office, the Secretary of State, Georgia's congressional delegation, city governments considering the Smart City forum, Georgia schools and students involved in exchange programs, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta representing Taiwan's government.

While the resolution does not change Georgia law, it signals state-level support for expanded trade offices, delegations, and education exchanges with Taiwan, which could shape future decisions by Georgia officials, schools, and city governments about pursuing those specific initiatives.

• The preamble cites Taiwan as the United States' eighth-largest trading partner and Georgia's 15th largest import and 17th largest export market in 2023.
• The first resolved clause backs continued talks on trade and tax agreements and urges Georgia to open a Taiwan trade office and trade delegation, as 23 other states and Guam have done.
• The second resolved clause supports a Taiwan Caucus and Taiwan's participation in specified international organizations.
• The third resolved clause supports an education cooperation memorandum of understanding and encourages participation in Taiwanese American Heritage Week in May.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to the Governor, Secretary of State, congressional delegation, and Taiwan's Atlanta office director-general.

1. 2025-03-18Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
2. 2025-03-18Senate Third Read (Senate)
3. 2025-03-04Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
4. 2025-03-03Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
5. 2025-02-11Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
6. 2025-02-10Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)Primary sponsor
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)

1. FailedSenate voteMarch 18, 2025

   22 yea, 29 nay (1 not voting, 4 absent)

   Adoption Of Amendment #1 By The Senator From The 53rd: Senate Vote #241

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 18, 2025

   47 yea, 5 nay (0 not voting, 4 absent)

   Adoption By Substitute: Senate Vote #242

• Taiwan relations
• international trade
• economic development
• education exchange
• foreign affairs