HB 1449: Georgia Gold Standard Opportunity Grant Act of 2026; enact

Georgia currently has no dedicated state grant program aimed specifically at small businesses, small-scale farmers, and small nonprofit or faith-based organizations. House Bill 1449, called the Georgia Gold Standard Opportunity Grant Act of 2026, would add a new article to state law creating the Georgia Gold Standard Opportunity Grant Program inside the Department of Community Affairs. The bill defines who qualifies: small businesses under federal size standards, farmers (including urban farms and community gardens) earning under $500,000 a year, and nonprofits or faith-based and community advocacy groups with budgets under $2 million. Eligible groups could apply for grants of up to $50,000 a year for equipment, operating costs, capital improvements, or workforce development, with priority for groups serving underserved urban and rural communities. The Department must write program rules by January 1, 2027, submit an annual report to state leaders, and the state auditor's office would review the fund's financial health each year, allowing grant amounts to be reduced if state reserves drop too low.

• Creates the Georgia Gold Standard Opportunity Grant Program within the Department of Community Affairs to fund small businesses, small farmers, and small nonprofits.
• Defines eligibility, including farmers earning under $500,000 a year and nonprofits or faith-based groups with budgets under $2 million.
• Allows eligible applicants to receive up to $50,000 per year for capital improvements, equipment, operating expenses, or workforce development.
• Requires the Department of Community Affairs to set program rules by January 1, 2027 and gives priority to organizations serving underserved communities.
• Requires the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts and a House committee to conduct an annual review of the fund's financial sustainability.
• Requires an annual public report on the fund's spending and outcomes to the Governor, House Speaker, and Senate President by December 31 each year.

Small business owners, small-scale and urban farmers, small nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups doing community work like food pantries and mentorship programs, and community advocacy organizations. The Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Audits and Accounts, and a House budget oversight committee would also take on new administrative roles.

If enacted and funded, eligible small businesses, farmers, and nonprofits could receive up to $50,000 a year in state grants for costs like equipment or operations, potentially easing access to capital that these groups often struggle to find through banks or investors.

• Section 1 gives the Act its short title, the Georgia Gold Standard Opportunity Grant Act of 2026.
• Code Section 50-8-320 states legislative findings, including a stated goal of a $1 billion grant initiative funded by the state's surplus.
• Code Section 50-8-321 defines 'small business,' 'small-scale farmer,' and 'small nonprofit organization' for purposes of the program.
• Code Section 50-8-322 establishes the grant program, requires rules by January 1, 2027, sets the $50,000 annual grant cap, and directs priority to underserved communities.
• Code Section 50-8-323 requires an annual economic solvency review and allows the Department to reduce grant amounts if the state's revenue shortfall reserve falls below 10 percent of prior year net revenue.
• Code Section 50-8-324 requires an annual report on the fund's revenues, expenditures, and project status, due to state leaders by December 31 each year.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws, a standard provision with no independent substantive effect.

1. 2026-02-26House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-25House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-24House Hopper (House)

• Derrick Jackson (D, HD-068)Primary sponsor
• Teddy Reese (D, HD-140)
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-088)
• El-Mahdi Holly (D, HD-116)
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)
• Inga Willis (D, HD-055)

• small business grants
• farm funding
• nonprofit funding
• economic development
• state budget