Georgia CommonsHouse · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HB 1013: State symbols; Georgia state chicken wing flavor; designate lemon pepper
Last action February 25, 2026 · House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
A Georgia House bill would name lemon pepper as the state's official chicken wing flavor, adding it to the list of official Georgia state symbols alongside things like the peach and the peanut.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Comm Sub version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
Georgia law keeps a list of official state symbols, such as the state fruit, in Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. This bill would add a new entry to that list by creating a new Code section, O.C.G.A. § 50-3-96, that designates lemon pepper as the official Georgia state chicken wing flavor. The bill opens with a series of legislative findings tracing the history of chicken wings in Georgia, from Taco Mac's introduction of Buffalo wings in Atlanta in 1979 to American Deli's invention of the 'lemon pepper wet' style in 1989. It describes lemon pepper wings as a cultural touchstone referenced in Atlanta music and associated with NBA player Lou Williams. The bill does not create any new program, funding, or penalty; it simply adds a symbolic designation to state law and repeals any conflicting laws.
What the bill does
- Adds a new Code section, O.C.G.A. § 50-3-96, that designates lemon pepper as the official Georgia state chicken wing flavor.
- Includes legislative findings describing the history of Buffalo and lemon pepper chicken wings in Georgia, including their introduction by Taco Mac and American Deli.
- Repeals any existing state laws that conflict with the new designation, though the bill does not identify any specific conflicting law.
Who it affects
This is a symbolic designation, so it does not impose duties on any group. It mainly touches the state's official symbols list and reflects Georgia's restaurant and food culture, including businesses like Taco Mac, American Deli, JR Crickets, Wingstop, Hotlanta Wings, and Magic City named in the findings.
Why it matters
The bill would not change any rules, funding, or penalties; its practical effect is adding a cultural symbol to Georgia's official state symbols list, similar to the state fruit or state bird, formally recognizing lemon pepper wings as tied to Georgia's identity.
Key provisions
- Section 1 lists legislative findings on the history of chicken wings in Georgia, including Taco Mac's 1979 introduction of Buffalo wings and American Deli's 1989 creation of 'lemon pepper wet.'
- Section 2 adds new Code section 50-3-96, stating that lemon pepper wings are designated as the official Georgia state chicken wing flavor.
- Section 3 repeals any laws or parts of laws that conflict with the Act.
From the bill
“Lemon pepper wings are designated as the official Georgia state chicken wing flavor.”
“Just as peaches symbolize Georgia's agricultural pride, lemon pepper wings symbolize Georgia's cultural flavor and global culinary influence.”
Discussed in meetings (7)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House Special Rules Committee, February 18, 2026
From 0:00:48 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would designate lemon pepper as Georgia’s state chicken wing flavor, following other state designations recognizing food and cultural traditions. The sponsor described lemon pepper wings as part of Georgia’s statewide identity and argued that the designation could promote neighborhood restaurants, small businesses and tourism. The sponsor distributed a supporting letter from the Georgia Restaurant Association and pointed to co-sponsors from several regions as evidence of statewide support. The chair expressed a preference for lemon pepper wings and asked where the wings provided that day came from. The sponsor answered that American Deli’s City Hall location supplied them. No other committee questions followed. Although the sponsor requested a favorable vote, the presentation was hearing only, and no vote was taken.
House Special Rules Committee, February 24, 2026
From 0:24:04 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1013, the lemon pepper chicken wing flavor proposal, had not changed from the substitute reviewed the previous week. A committee member raised a preference for mango habanero. The sponsor responded that their earlier discussion had identified lemon pepper’s culinary and cultural connection to Georgia. The committee approved the measure by voice vote and sent it to Rules.
House Rules Committee, March 2, 2026
From 0:34:13 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1013 would designate lemon pepper as Georgia's state chicken wing flavor. The sponsor described it as recognition of food culture and cited support from the Restaurant Association, Poultry Federation and hotel groups. No questions or decision followed.
House Rules Committee, March 6, 2026
From 0:50:24 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor requested consideration of HB 1013, saying it would designate lemon pepper as the state chicken flavor. No questions or decision were recorded.
Status timeline
- House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Eric Bell (D, HD-75)
- Dexter Sharper (D, HD-177)
- Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-4)
- David Huddleston (R, HD-72)
- Mekyah McQueen (D, HD-61)
- Carl Gilliard (D, HD-162)
Topics
- state symbols
- Georgia food culture
- chicken wings
- Atlanta history