Georgia CommonsHB 1103: Happy Highways Grant Program; establishment of and purpose; provide
Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action February 3, 2026 · Introduced
The text as LegiScan holds it, read from the PDF the legislature publishes with its margin line numbers, running heads, and page footers removed. Line breaks are joined into paragraphs here; no word is changed.
Underlined words are what the bill adds to current law and struck-through words are what it removes, as the printed bill shows them.
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.