SB312: SB312 Department of Economic Development; establishment of the Georgia Peach Walk of Fame Advisory Council; provide

Georgia does not currently have a formal process for creating a state walk of fame honoring people from the entertainment industry. This bill would set one up by adding a new article to the law governing the Department of Economic Development (O.C.G.A. Chapter 7 of Title 50). The bill creates a 15-member advisory council appointed by the Governor, made up of people connected to the entertainment industry. Members serve two-year terms, elect their own officers, and must meet at least quarterly with chances for public input. The council's job is to hold public hearings, consult industry experts in fields like movies, television, radio, music, live theater, and sports entertainment, and recommend individuals, locations, and selection rules for the walk of fame to the General Assembly. It can also accept donations and grants, and must publish recommendations online and submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly starting no later than June 30, 2026.

• Establishes the Georgia Peach Walk of Fame Advisory Council within the Department of Economic Development, made up of 15 Governor-appointed members.
• Sets two-year terms for council members (with initial staggered one and two-year terms) and requires them to elect a chairperson, vice chair, treasurer, and secretary.
• Requires the council to meet at least quarterly, hold public hearings, and consult industry experts to recommend individuals, locations, and selection procedures for the walk of fame.
• Allows the council to accept donations, gifts, grants, or property from public or private sources to fund its work.
• Requires an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly, due first by June 30, 2026, covering council activities, funding status, and recommended honorees.
• Sets pay rules: members get no salary but can receive expense reimbursement, with legislative members using existing legislative allowance rules and citizen members getting a daily expense allowance.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development, which will house the new council; the Governor, who appoints its 15 members; entertainment industry professionals in film, television, radio, recording, theater, and sports entertainment who may be considered for inclusion; and members of the public, who get input opportunities at council hearings.

If enacted, Georgia would move toward creating a formal walk of fame recognizing entertainment figures, giving the industry and public a structured process to nominate honorees and decide on a location, while adding a new state advisory body with reporting duties and modest expense costs.

• Section 1 adds a new Article 11 to Chapter 7 of Title 50, creating O.C.G.A. § 50-7-130 establishing the 15-member advisory council and its structure.
• Section 50-7-130 requires all members to be full-time Georgia residents and to serve without pay except for actual expense reimbursement.
• Section 50-7-131 defines the council's purpose as advising on establishing the Georgia Peach Walk of Fame and recommending honorees from six specified entertainment industries.
• Section 50-7-131(d) allows the council to solicit and accept donations, gifts, grants, property, or matching funds for its activities.
• Section 50-7-132 requires an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly, first due by June 30, 2026, covering council progress, funding status, and honoree recommendations.
• Section 50-7-132(b) requires the annual report to be available for public comment at an open meeting before it is submitted.
• Section 2 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2025-02-28Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-02-27Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)Primary sponsor
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)

• economic development
• entertainment industry
• state advisory councils
• Georgia film and television
• tourism