HB 486: State government; City of Incheon, South Korea as sister city-state of the State of Georgia; designate

This bill creates a formal sister city-state relationship between the State of Georgia and Incheon, South Korea. It adds a new section, O.C.G.A. § 50-1-14, to Georgia's general government laws stating that Incheon is the official sister city-state of Georgia. The bill opens with several legislative findings explaining why lawmakers chose Incheon: it is South Korea's third most populous city with about 3 million residents, a major international port and home to Incheon International Airport, a designated 'English City' with programs promoting global communication, and a city that already has 39 sister city-state relationships worldwide. The bill states Georgia recognizes Incheon's historical, cultural, and economic importance. The final section repeals any conflicting laws, a standard closing provision.

• Adds a new Georgia law, O.C.G.A. § 50-1-14, formally designating Incheon, South Korea as the official sister city-state of the State of Georgia.
• States legislative findings describing Incheon's population, port and airport significance, and its English-language education initiatives.
• Notes that Incheon already has 39 sister city-state relationships with other cities around the world.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with this new designation.

This bill primarily affects the State of Georgia's formal government relationships and diplomatic or cultural exchange programs. It does not impose requirements on individuals, businesses, or local governments, but may be relevant to state officials involved in international trade, tourism, or cultural exchange with South Korea.

The designation is largely symbolic and ceremonial, formally recognizing a relationship between Georgia and Incheon in state law. It could support future cultural, educational, or economic exchange efforts, though the bill itself does not create programs, funding, or specific obligations.

• Section 1 lists legislative findings about Incheon's population, its role as a port and aviation hub, its English-language initiatives, and its existing sister city relationships.
• Section 2 adds new Code section 50-1-14 to Chapter 1 of Title 50, officially designating Incheon as Georgia's sister city-state.
• Section 3 repeals any laws that conflict with this designation, a standard closing provision with no independent policy effect.

1. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-02-26House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
3. 2025-02-20House Second Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-19House First Readers (House)
5. 2025-02-18House Hopper (House)

• Soo Hong (R, HD-103)Primary sponsor
• Bill Werkheiser (R, HD-157)
• Lehman Franklin (R, HD-160)
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)
• Sam Park (D, HD-107)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-99)

• sister city
• international relations
• South Korea
• state government designations