---
title: HR 408. Georgia's aerospace and defense industry; Georgia Aerospace Day at the state capitol; February 26, 2025; recognize
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr408
cite_as: HR 408, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr408
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr408.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr408/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70871
date: 2025-02-26
status: passed
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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index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr408.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 408
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2025-02-26
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Ron Stephens
  - Jesse Petrea
  - Steven Sainz
  - James Hatchett
  - Bill Hitchens
  - Edna Jackson
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR408/2025
upstream_id: 1985843
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - aerospace industry
  - defense contractors
  - economic development
  - higher education
  - state capitol recognition
---

# HR 408. Georgia's aerospace and defense industry; Georgia Aerospace Day at the state capitol; February 26, 2025; recognize

## Text

House Resolution 408
By: Representatives Stephens of the 164th, Petrea of the 166th, Sainz of the 180th, Hatchett of
the 155th, Hitchens of the 161st, and others
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the work of Georgia's aerospace and defense industry and recognizing February
26, 2025, as Georgia Aerospace Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is home to a robust aerospace industry, encompassing more
than 800 companies, including an estimated 320 aerospace manufacturing firms, more than
120 MRO facilities, and over 70 airline and charter operations that employ more than
200,000 Georgians; and
WHEREAS, aerospace products are Georgia's top export product category and the state's
second-largest manufacturing industry, generating an estimated annual economic impact of
$57.5 billion; and
WHEREAS, aerospace has remained the State of Georgia's No. 1 international export since
2004, with 2023 aerospace and defense exports totaling $11.1 billion, including civilian
aircraft and parts, turbojets, turbopropellers, aircraft launching gear, parachutes, and
non-powered aircraft; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Georgia's top five international markets for aerospace industry exports
were Singapore, Germany, Poland, India, and Hong Kong; and
WHEREAS, Georgia's higher education institutions are dedicated to delivering top-tier talent
through the aerospace career pipeline; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Institute of Technology is home to the No. 1 aerospace engineering
program in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report; and
WHEREAS, Middle Georgia University is home to Georgia's flagship School of Aviation
and is the only university in Georgia offering three FAA-certified programs; the only public
university to offer a bachelor's degree in flight, supporting the aviation industry through
programs in business administration, information technology, cybersecurity, and specialized
aviation disciplines; was selected as one of only eight aviation universities in the nation as
the initial cadre for Delta Air Lines' Propel Collegiate Pilot Career Path; offers maintenance
training ranging from certificates to bachelor's degrees; and is one of 31 schools in the nation
to offer the FAA-certified Air Traffic Control program; and
WHEREAS, Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), a research institute of Mercer
University, has been an integral part of the Robins Air Force Base community since 1987;
and
WHEREAS, Georgia Southern University's Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and
Computing is advancing aerospace innovation through cutting-edge research in sustainable
fuels, aircraft power systems, and advanced manufacturing while equipping students with the
skills and expertise needed to support Georgia's aerospace industry; and
WHEREAS, the flagship and land-grant institution of the State of Georgia, the University
of Georgia's College of Engineering, is dedicated to supporting the state's thriving and
expanding aerospace industry through education, workforce development, and collaborative
and innovative research and by providing support to those investing in our great state; and
WHEREAS, Lockheed Martin has operated continuously in Marietta, Georgia, for 74 years
and builds two iconic military programs, the C-130J Super Hercules and the F-35 Lightning
II, in the State of Georgia, supporting direct and indirect jobs for more than 12,000
Georgians; and
WHEREAS, as the largest manufacturer in the state, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation has
operated continuously at its worldwide headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, since 1967,
designing, manufacturing, and supporting the world's most technologically advanced
business aircraft; employing more than 13,000 in Georgia; and supporting a Georgia payroll
of over $1.4 billion; and
WHEREAS, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the world's busiest and
most efficient passenger airport, and Georgia is home to the largest single container terminal
and most extensive rail and interstate system in the Southeast, providing a seamless air, sea,
and ground transportation network; and
WHEREAS, Georgia is proud of its longstanding connection to the United States military
community, including eight active military bases, the United States Army Cyber Command
Headquarters, and the VECTR military workforce training center; and
WHEREAS, seven of the world's top ten defense contractors maintain a presence within the
State of Georgia, serving as top employers for newly retired veterans; and
WHEREAS, Georgia's aerospace and defense industry continues to grow thanks to the state's
positive business climate and bipartisan support at the local, state, and federal levels of
government.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body honor Georgia's aerospace and defense industry and recognize
February 26, 2025, as Georgia Aerospace Day at the state capitol.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to
representatives of the aerospace and defense industry, higher education officials, and other
representatives as deemed necessary.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House resolution recognizes February 26, 2025 as Georgia Aerospace Day at the state capitol, honoring the state's aerospace and defense companies, universities, and military installations.

### Plain-language summary

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives rather than a law that changes any statute. It formally honors Georgia's aerospace and defense industry, citing statistics such as more than 800 aerospace companies, over 200,000 jobs, and $57.5 billion in annual economic impact, and it designates February 26, 2025 as Georgia Aerospace Day at the state capitol.
The resolution highlights specific institutions and companies, including Georgia Tech's aerospace engineering program, Middle Georgia University's aviation school, Mercer Engineering Research Center, Georgia Southern, the University of Georgia, Lockheed Martin, and Gulfstream Aerospace. It directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to industry representatives and higher education officials, but it does not create any new legal requirements, funding, or penalties.

### What it does

- Recognizes February 26, 2025 as Georgia Aerospace Day at the state capitol through a formal House resolution.
- Honors Georgia's aerospace and defense industry, citing figures like 800+ companies and $57.5 billion in annual economic impact.
- Names specific universities and companies, including Georgia Tech, Middle Georgia University, Lockheed Martin, and Gulfstream Aerospace, for their role in the industry.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to aerospace industry and higher education representatives.
- Creates no new laws, funding, or regulatory changes since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than a bill amending the Georgia Code.

### Who it affects

This resolution primarily affects the aerospace and defense companies named in it, such as Lockheed Martin and Gulfstream Aerospace, along with Georgia universities like Georgia Tech, Middle Georgia University, Mercer University, Georgia Southern, and the University of Georgia. It has no direct legal effect on the general public.

### Why it matters

Because this is a ceremonial resolution, it does not change any law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its practical effect is limited to formally recognizing a day and distributing copies of the resolution to industry and academic representatives named in the text.

### Key provisions

- The resolving clause designates February 26, 2025 as Georgia Aerospace Day at the state capitol and honors the aerospace and defense industry.
- A further resolution directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and distribute copies to aerospace industry representatives, higher education officials, and others as needed.
- The preamble (whereas clauses) lists supporting facts about the industry's size, exports, employment, and key institutions but has no independent legal effect.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2025-02-26)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-02-26)
- Sponsors: Ron Stephens, Jesse Petrea, Steven Sainz, James Hatchett, Bill Hitchens, Edna Jackson
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70871

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr408.md?full=1