---
title: HB 1103. Happy Highways Grant Program; establishment of and purpose; provide
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb1103
cite_as: HB 1103, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1103
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1103.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1103/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72619
date: 2026-02-03
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1102.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1104.md
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 129
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1103.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 1103
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2026-01-29
last_action: House Second Readers
sponsors:
- Eric Bell
- Carl Gilliard
- El-Mahdi Holly
- Mack Jackson
- Spencer Frye
- Bryce Berry
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB1103/2025
upstream_id: 2102366
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- highway signage
- tourism funding
- county grants
- transportation department
- public art
---
# HB 1103. Happy Highways Grant Program; establishment of and purpose; provide
## Text
House Bill 1103
By: Representatives Bell of the 75th, Gilliard of the 162nd, Holly of the 116th, Jackson of the
128th, Frye of the 122nd, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to state highway system, so as to provide for the establishment of and
purpose for the Happy Highways Grant Program; to provide for the allocation of grant
awards under such program; to provide for grant criteria and application process; to authorize
the erection of up to two murals along the state highway system within each county; to
authorize any signs containing such murals to be erected within 660 feet of the nearest edge
of the right of way; to provide a definition; to provide for contingent effectiveness and
automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to state highway system, is amended by revising paragraphs (4) and (5) of Code
Section 32-6-72, relating to designation of outdoor advertising which may be erected or
maintained within 660 feet of nearest edge of right of way, as follows:
"(4) Signs located in areas zoned commercial or industrial, which signs provide
information in the specific interest of the traveling public, including, but not limited to,
any sign erected pursuant to Code Section 32-6-87.2;
(5) Signs located in unzoned commercial or industrial areas, which signs provide
information in the specific interest of the traveling public, including, but not limited to,
any sign erected pursuant to Code Section 32-6-87.2; and"
SECTION 2.
Said part is further amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
"32-6-87.2.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'grant program' means the Happy Highways
Grant Program established pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section.
(b) Not later than July 1, 2027, and subject to appropriations by the General Assembly, the
department shall establish the Happy Highways Grant Program for the purpose of awarding
one-time grants to participating counties to promote tourism and support roadside
enhancement and beautification efforts by erecting up to two murals along the state
highway system, in accordance with subsection (c) of this Code section. The department
shall establish grant criteria, implement a grant application process, and grant awards
consistent with the provisions of this Code section; provided, however, that no county shall
be awarded more than $150,000.00 per mural.
(c) Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in this chapter, each county is
authorized to erect a mural on up to two bridges or overpasses on any public road that is
part of the state highway system located within the county's corporate limits, or, if a county
reasonably determines that no such bridge or overpass is available or suitable for erecting
a mural, such county is authorized to erect up to two signs containing a mural along any
portion of the state highway system located within its corporate limits; provided, however,
that any such sign shall comply with any applicable requirements set forth in Code Section
32-6-75. The content of any mural erected pursuant to this Code section shall be consistent
with the grant program's purpose as described in subsection (b) of this Code section,
comply with the provisions set forth in Code Section 32-6-52 and paragraphs (1) and (21)
of subsection (a) of Code Section 32-6-75, and focus on expressions of the county's culture,
values, or history.
(d) Each county seeking to participate in and receive funding from the grant program shall
submit an application to the department in the manner prescribed by the department,
pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section.
(e) The department is authorized to establish policies, rules, and regulations as necessary
to administer and implement this Code section."
SECTION 3.
This Act shall become effective only if funds are specifically appropriated for the purposes
of this Act in an appropriations Act enacted by the General Assembly and shall stand
repealed by operation of law on December 31, 2026, if no such funding becomes available
before such date.
SECTION 4.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
A Georgia House bill would create a state grant program letting counties erect murals on highway bridges or signs to promote tourism, with the Department of Transportation covering up to $150,000 per mural.
### Plain-language summary
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.
### What it does
- 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.
### Who it affects
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.
### Why it matters
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.
### Key provisions
- 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.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2026-01-29)
- Last action: House Second Readers (2026-02-03)
- Sponsors: Eric Bell, Carl Gilliard, El-Mahdi Holly, Mack Jackson, Spencer Frye, Bryce Berry
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72619
> The history, votes, and amendments (129 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1103.md?full=1