HB 1103: Happy Highways Grant Program; establishment of and purpose; provide

Georgia currently regulates outdoor advertising along state highways, generally restricting signs within 660 feet of the road unless they fall into specific categories. This bill adds a new category: murals erected through a new Happy Highways Grant Program. The bill directs the Department of Transportation to set up the grant program by July 1, 2027, if the General Assembly appropriates funding for it. Counties could apply for one-time grants to erect up to two murals each, either on bridges or overpasses along the state highway system, or as roadside signs if no suitable bridge exists. No county could receive more than $150,000 per mural. Murals must reflect the county's culture, values, or history and follow existing sign placement rules. The whole act only takes effect if the legislature specifically funds it, and it automatically repeals on December 31, 2026 if that funding never materializes.

• Creates the Happy Highways Grant Program within the Department of Transportation to fund county murals along state highways.
• Caps grant awards at $150,000 per mural and limits each county to a maximum of two murals.
• Allows murals to be placed on bridges or overpasses, or as roadside signs within 660 feet of the highway right of way if no bridge is suitable.
• Requires mural content to reflect the county's culture, values, or history and comply with existing sign rules under O.C.G.A. §§ 32-6-52 and 32-6-75.
• Requires counties to apply to the Department of Transportation under a process the department will design.
• Makes the entire act contingent on specific legislative funding and sets an automatic repeal date of December 31, 2026 if no funding is appropriated.

Georgia counties that want to apply for mural grants, the Department of Transportation which will administer the program, and drivers and residents who would see new murals on highway bridges, overpasses, or roadside signs across the state.

If funded, counties could get up to $150,000 per mural to add local artwork to highway bridges or signs, potentially boosting tourism and roadside beautification. But the program only exists if lawmakers set aside money for it, and it disappears automatically at the end of 2026 without that funding.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 32-6-72 to add murals erected under the new program as an allowed category of roadside signage in commercial, industrial, or unzoned areas.
• Section 2 creates new Code Section 32-6-87.2, establishing the Happy Highways Grant Program and requiring the Department of Transportation to set it up by July 1, 2027, subject to appropriations.
• Section 2 caps grants at $150,000 per mural and limits counties to two murals each, placed on bridges, overpasses, or roadside signs.
• Section 2 requires mural content to focus on the county's culture, values, or history and comply with existing outdoor advertising rules.
• Section 3 makes the entire act contingent on the General Assembly specifically appropriating funds, and sets automatic repeal on December 31, 2026 if funding is not provided.

1. 2026-02-03House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-02House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-01-29House Hopper (House)

• Eric Bell (D, HD-075)Primary sponsor
• Carl Gilliard (D, HD-162)
• El-Mahdi Holly (D, HD-116)
• Mack Jackson (D, HD-128)
• Spencer Frye (D, HD-122)
• Bryce Berry (D, HD-056)

• highway signage
• tourism funding
• county grants
• transportation department
• public art