HR539: HR539 Nolan S. Smith, Jr. Bridge; Chatham County; dedicate

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia General Assembly, not a change to state law or regulations. It recognizes Nolan Sental Smith, Jr., a Savannah, Georgia native who played football at IMG Academy and Calvary Day School, then for the University of Georgia Bulldogs, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. The resolution also credits him for community work through the Nolan Smith Foundation, which supports young athletes. The resolution's operative effect is to dedicate the bridge on Interstate 95/State Route 405 at State Route 204/Fort Argyle Road in Chatham County as the Nolan S. Smith, Jr. Bridge. It directs the Georgia Department of Transportation to put up and maintain signs marking the dedication, and it directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to Smith and to the Department of Transportation.

• Formally dedicates the bridge on Interstate 95/State Route 405 at State Route 204/Fort Argyle Road in Chatham County as the Nolan S. Smith, Jr. Bridge.
• Directs the Georgia Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs identifying the bridge by its new name.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send copies of the resolution to Nolan Sental Smith, Jr. and to the Department of Transportation.
• Contains no funding, penalties, or changes to existing Georgia statutes; it is a commemorative naming resolution.

The resolution directly names Nolan Sental Smith, Jr. and directs the Georgia Department of Transportation to install signage; it also affects Chatham County residents and drivers who use the Interstate 95 bridge at Fort Argyle Road, which will carry his name.

For Georgians, the practical effect is limited to a new highway sign at a specific Chatham County bridge honoring a local athlete's career; it does not change any law, create funding, or impose requirements beyond the Department of Transportation's signage duty.

• The resolving clause dedicates the bridge on Interstate 95/State Route 405 at State Route 204/Fort Argyle Road in Chatham County as the Nolan S. Smith, Jr. Bridge.
• A further resolution directs the Department of Transportation to erect and maintain appropriate signs for the dedication.
• A final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to Smith and the Department of Transportation.

1. 2025-03-11House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-10House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-06House Hopper (House)

• Carl Gilliard (D, HD-162)Primary sponsor
• Edna Jackson (D, HD-165)
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)

• bridge dedication
• Chatham County
• Nolan Smith Jr.
• commemorative resolution
• Georgia Department of Transportation