Georgia CommonsHouse · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HR 999: Georgia citizens, cities, and counties; remember and honor the sacredness of America's 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026; urge
Last action February 12, 2026 · House Passed/Adopted
A Georgia House resolution urges Georgia citizens, cities, and counties to honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, through commemorative and educational activities.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives asks all Georgians, along with local cities and counties, to recognize and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which falls on July 4, 2026. It recalls Georgia's role in the founding, noting the three Georgia delegates who signed the Declaration, and calls the anniversary a milestone worth solemn recognition and celebration. The resolution encourages Georgians to study the Declaration's principles, honor the nation's founders, take part in civic education, and strengthen communities through shared celebration. It also encourages cities and counties to organize commemorative events, historical displays, and educational programs. Finally, it directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
What the bill does
- Urges Georgia citizens, cities, and counties to honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
- Encourages Georgians to study the Declaration's principles and honor the memory of the nation's founders.
- Encourages civic education, democratic participation, and community bonding through shared celebration of the anniversary.
- Encourages municipalities and counties to organize commemorative events, historical displays, and educational programs.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
Who it affects
The resolution addresses all Georgia citizens, as well as city and county governments across the state, encouraging them to participate in commemorative and educational activities marking the nation's 250th anniversary.
Why it matters
Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it creates no legal requirements or funding. Its practical effect is to formally encourage Georgians and local governments to hold events and educational programs around the July 4, 2026 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Key provisions
- The resolution recounts the history of the Declaration of Independence and Georgia's three signers: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton.
- The House resolves to urge citizens, cities, and counties to honor the anniversary through commemorative activities, education, and celebrations.
- The House further resolves to encourage Georgians to study the Declaration's principles and engage in civic education and democratic participation.
- The House further resolves to encourage municipalities and counties to organize commemorative events, displays, and educational programs.
- The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available for distribution to the public and press.
From the bill
“urging all Georgia citizens, cities, and counties to remember and honor the sacredness of America's 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026”
“three Georgian delegates—Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton—courageously signing the Declaration of Independence”
Discussed in meetings (5)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House Special Rules Committee, February 5, 2026
From 0:19:06 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HR 999 encourages Georgia residents, counties and municipalities to organize celebrations of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The sponsor pointed to the sacrifices of Georgia’s signers of the Declaration of Independence and said the anniversary deserved statewide recognition. No substantive questions or opposition were raised. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote, with no opposition heard, and the chair indicated it would move to the Rules Committee.
House Rules Committee, February 11, 2026
From 0:51:19 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 568
Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed HR 999 on Thursday's calendar under modified-open debate rules after a motion and second, with no opposition voiced. There was no substantive discussion.
House floor session, February 12, 2026 (legislative day 18)
From 1:45:02 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 575
Summary by Georgia Commons: The clerk described HR 999 as urging Georgia residents, cities and counties to honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. The sponsor connected the observance to Georgia's founding and thanked those who served the country. A second speaker, the House dean, urged support, described the sacrifices of Georgia's three declaration signers and encouraged communities to teach children about independence and celebrate the anniversary. In response to a member's question, the dean agreed that two signers came from Liberty County. No opposition was voiced. The House adopted the resolution, 162 to 0.
Status timeline
- House Passed/Adopted (House)
- House Third Readers (House)
- House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Brent Cox (R, HD-28)
- Rick Jasperse (R, HD-11)
- Matt Hatchett (R, HD-155)
- Bill Fincher (R, HD-23)
- Carter Barrett (R, HD-24)
- Lauren McDonald III (R, HD-26)
Votes
- House voteFebruary 12, 2026
162 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 12 excused)
Topics
- Declaration of Independence anniversary
- civic education
- Georgia history
- commemorative events