SR266: SR266 Stafford, Furquan R.; commend

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a statement from the Georgia Senate addressing the plasma donation industry, noting that human plasma is used to make therapies for conditions like hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, and Alzheimer's disease, and that the global plasma market has grown to about $30 billion. The resolution states that more than 86 percent of U.S. plasma donations come from African American donors, yet no plasma collection centers in the country are owned by African Americans. It then encourages the U.S. plasma collection industry to open its markets to minority ownership, and formally commends Furquan R. Stafford and other community activists for their advocacy on this issue. The Secretary of the Senate is directed to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Encourages the United States plasma collection industry to allow minorities equal opportunity to own and operate plasma collection centers.
• Formally commends Furquan R. Stafford and other community activists for advocacy expanding diversity in plasma center ownership.
• States findings about plasma donation demographics and the size of the global plasma market as background for its position.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Does not create any new law, funding, or enforcement mechanism, since it is a resolution rather than a bill.

The resolution names Furquan R. Stafford and unnamed community activists as honorees, and speaks broadly to the U.S. plasma collection industry and African American plasma donors, encouraging greater minority ownership opportunities in that industry.

Because it is a resolution rather than a bill, it carries no legal force and changes no Georgia statute. Its practical effect is symbolic: it puts the Senate on record encouraging the plasma industry toward minority ownership and publicly recognizing an activist's work.

• The whereas clauses lay out background facts about plasma donation volume, the plasma therapy market, and racial disparities in industry ownership.
• The first resolving clause encourages the U.S. plasma collection industry to open markets and allow equal opportunity for minorities through plasma collection agreements.
• The second resolving clause commends Furquan R. Stafford and other community activists for their work expanding diversity in plasma center ownership.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and press.

1. 2025-02-27Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-02-26Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Donzella James (D, SD-028)Primary sponsor

• plasma donation industry
• minority owned businesses
• Senate commendation resolution
• racial equity in industry ownership