HR246: HR246 Georgia Institute of Technology and its partners; NSF GRACE Engine proposal; commend

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizes the Georgia Institute of Technology and its partner institutions for developing a proposal called the Growing Resilience for America's Critical Mineral Economy (GRACE) Engine. The proposal responds to the fact that supply chains for critical minerals like rare earth elements and graphite largely do not exist in the United States and rely on imports from abroad. The resolution describes the GRACE Engine's four focus areas: using regional resources and waste more efficiently to build a mineral supply chain, supporting workforce development and community engagement, translating new technology into businesses, and securing public and private investment. The resolution does not create funding, a program, or any legal requirement. It simply commends Georgia Tech and directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally commends the Georgia Institute of Technology and its partner institutions for proposing the NSF GRACE Engine project.
• States the House's acknowledgment of the importance of continuing the GRACE Engine effort for Georgia's economic competitiveness.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a statement of recognition rather than a binding policy change.

The resolution directly names the Georgia Institute of Technology and its partner institutions. It also touches Georgia's clean energy, battery, electric vehicle, and solar industries, along with rural and disadvantaged communities the GRACE Engine proposal says it would serve through workforce development.

Because this is a commendation rather than a law, it has no direct legal effect on funding, regulations, or daily life. Its practical significance lies in the House publicly recognizing and endorsing the GRACE Engine proposal, which may support Georgia Tech's efforts to secure federal NSF funding.

• The whereas clauses describe Georgia's growth in clean energy investment and the lack of a domestic critical minerals supply chain.
• The whereas clauses describe the GRACE Engine's four focus areas: resource use, workforce innovation, technology commercialization, and strategic investment.
• The resolving clause formally commends Georgia Tech and its partners for the NSF GRACE Engine proposal.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-02-11House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-02-11House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-11House Hopper (House)

• Brad Thomas (R, HD-021)Primary sponsor
• Lynn Smith (R, HD-070)
• Jan Jones (R, HD-047)
• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)
• Charles Cannon (R, HD-172)
• Steven Meeks (R, HD-178)

• clean energy
• critical minerals
• Georgia Tech
• economic development
• workforce development