---
title: HR 411. Visit Macon; outstanding contributions to increasing tourism in Macon-Bibb County, fostering the film and music industries, and making tourism a vital component of the local economy; commend
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr411
cite_as: HR 411, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr411
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr411.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr411/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70874
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.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr410.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr412.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr411.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 411
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:
  - Tangie Herring
  - Anissa Jones
  - Floyd Griffin
  - Miriam Paris
  - Dale Washburn
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR411/2025
upstream_id: 1985895
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - tourism
  - Macon-Bibb County
  - film industry
  - economic development
  - music heritage
---

# HR 411. Visit Macon; outstanding contributions to increasing tourism in Macon-Bibb County, fostering the film and music industries, and making tourism a vital component of the local economy; commend

## Text

House Resolution 411
By: Representatives Herring of the 145th, Jones of the 143rd, Griffin of the 149th, Paris of the
142nd, and Washburn of the 144th
A RESOLUTION
Commending Visit Macon for its outstanding contributions to increasing tourism in
Macon-Bibb County, fostering the film and music industries, and making tourism a vital
component of the local economy; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Visit Macon has played an instrumental role in promoting Macon-Bibb County
as a premier travel destination by showcasing the region's rich history, vibrant culture, and
unique attractions; and
WHEREAS, through innovative marketing campaigns, partnerships, and events, Visit Macon
has significantly increased the visibility of the community, drawing visitors from across the
nation and around the world; and
WHEREAS, Visit Macon's outstanding efforts to promote Macon-Bibb County as a premier
travel destination have garnered significant national recognition, including The New York
Times listing Macon among its "52 Places to Go" in 2023 for its rich musical heritage and
the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park; Condé Nast Traveler featuring Macon in
its "23 Best Places to Go in the U.S." in 2023 for its cultural attractions and historical
significance; and The Wall Street Journal highlighting Macon as a top destination in 2025,
further underscoring its growing prominence in the national tourism landscape; and
WHEREAS, these accolades reflect Visit Macon's successful marketing campaigns and
partnerships, which have significantly elevated the city's profile and attracted visitors from
across the nation and around the world; and
WHEREAS, tourism has become a cornerstone of the Macon-Bibb County economy,
generating millions of dollars in revenue annually through visitor spending on lodging,
dining, entertainment, and shopping; and
WHEREAS, this revenue not only supports local businesses and creates jobs but also
contributes to reducing the tax burden on Macon-Bibb County residents as visitor spending
provides critical funding for public services and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, Visit Macon has actively collaborated with the Macon Film Commission to
attract film and television productions to the area, resulting in four to five major productions
annually, which generate approximately $4-5 million in economic impact each year; and
WHEREAS, Macon's rich music heritage is a cornerstone of its identity, and Visit Macon
has successfully promoted the region as a musical destination; and
WHEREAS, Visit Macon has highlighted the area's diverse attractions, including historic
landmarks like the Hay House and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, world-class
music heritage sites, and vibrant festivals like the Cherry Blossom Festival; and
WHEREAS, the organization's efforts to honor Macon's music history have not only
strengthened the local economy but also inspired pride and cultural appreciation among
residents and visitors alike.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body commend Visit Macon for its unwavering dedication to increasing
tourism, supporting the film and music industries, and strengthening the local economy as
well as for earning national acclaim that has elevated Macon-Bibb County's reputation as a
premier travel destination and solidified tourism as a vital and sustainable economic driver
for the community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body recognize President and CEO
Gary Wheat and the staff of Visit Macon for their dedication to promoting the region,
fostering partnerships, and enhancing Macon-Bibb County's reputation as a top-tier
destination while contributing to the economic well-being of the community and reducing
the tax burden for residents.
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 Visit
Macon and its partners.

## 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 commends Visit Macon for boosting tourism, film production, and the music industry in Macon-Bibb County, and recognizes its leadership.

### Plain-language summary

This is a commendation resolution passed by the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Visit Macon, the tourism promotion organization for Macon-Bibb County. It does not change any Georgia law; instead it formally praises the organization for its marketing campaigns, partnerships with the Macon Film Commission, and efforts to promote the region's music heritage and historic attractions.
The resolution cites national recognition Macon has received, including mentions by The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and The Wall Street Journal, and credits Visit Macon with generating millions of dollars in tourism revenue and film production economic impact. It also names President and CEO Gary Wheat and the Visit Macon staff for recognition. The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to Visit Macon and its partners.

### What it does

- Formally commends Visit Macon for its work increasing tourism, promoting film and music industries, and strengthening the Macon-Bibb County economy.
- Recognizes President and CEO Gary Wheat and the Visit Macon staff by name for their efforts.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to Visit Macon and its partners.
- Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties, as a commendation resolution has no regulatory effect.

### Who it affects

The resolution directly names and honors Visit Macon, its President and CEO Gary Wheat, and its staff. It also touches Macon-Bibb County residents and businesses referenced in the text as beneficiaries of tourism revenue, and the Macon Film Commission mentioned as a partner organization.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect but serves as an official statement from the Georgia House recognizing Visit Macon's role in the local economy, publicizing its record on tourism, film production, and cultural promotion in Macon-Bibb County.

### Key provisions

- The resolution's whereas clauses describe Visit Macon's marketing efforts, national media recognition, and economic contributions from tourism and film production.
- The first resolving clause commends Visit Macon for its dedication to tourism, film and music industries, and the local economy.
- The second resolving clause specifically recognizes President and CEO Gary Wheat and Visit Macon staff.
- The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to Visit Macon and its partners.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2025-02-26)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-02-26)
- Sponsors: Tangie Herring, Anissa Jones, Floyd Griffin, Miriam Paris, Dale Washburn
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70874

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr411.md?full=1