HB 303: Original 33 Memorial Act; enact

In 1868, 33 African American men were elected to the Georgia General Assembly, among the first Black state legislators in the country, and were later expelled that September during the end of Reconstruction. This bill amends Georgia's code on state symbols (Title 50, Chapter 3) to add a new article creating the 'Original 33 Memorial Act.' The law requires that a monument honoring the Original 33 be placed on the state capitol grounds or in another prominent location, but only once private funds are available to pay for it; no state money is appropriated. The monument must be procured and placed as soon as practicable unless public safety concerns require delaying it. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws.

• Creates a new article in Georgia law naming this the 'Original 33 Memorial Act.'
• Requires a monument honoring the Original 33 legislators to be placed on the capitol grounds or another prominent location.
• Conditions the monument's construction on the availability of private funding rather than state money.
• Requires the monument to be installed as soon as practicable unless public safety concerns justify postponing it.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with this new requirement.

The bill affects the state agencies responsible for maintaining the capitol grounds, any private donors or organizations that raise funds for the monument, and the broader public, since it commemorates the Original 33 legislators expelled from the Georgia General Assembly in 1868.

If enacted, Georgia would have a permanent public monument recognizing the Original 33, some of the first Black state legislators in the country, expelled from office in 1868. Because installation depends on private funding, the timing of the memorial's completion is uncertain.

• Section 1 adds Article 8 to Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, covering state flag, seal, and other symbols.
• O.C.G.A. § 50-3-130 names the new law the 'Original 33 Memorial Act.'
• O.C.G.A. § 50-3-131(a) requires a monument honoring the Original 33 to be placed on the capitol grounds or another prominent place, contingent on private funding.
• O.C.G.A. § 50-3-131(b) requires the monument to be procured and placed as soon as practicable unless public safety concerns warrant postponement.
• Section 2 repeals any laws in conflict with the Act.

1. 2025-07-01Effective Date
2. 2025-05-01Act 47
3. 2025-05-01House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-31Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2025-03-21Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2025-03-20Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Carl Gilliard (D, HD-162)Primary sponsor
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-88)
• Karen Lupton (D, HD-83)
• Derrick Jackson (D, HD-68)
• Inga Willis (D, HD-55)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-6)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 28, 2025

   167 yea, 0 nay (4 not voting, 9 excused)

   PASSAGE: House Vote #122

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 2 excused)

   PASSAGE: Senate Vote #351

• state history
• civil rights monument
• Georgia capitol
• Reconstruction era
• Black legislators