SB 435: Georgia Development Authority; rename as the Georgia Agricultural Development Authority

This bill changes the official name of the Georgia Development Authority to the Georgia Agricultural Development Authority. It does not create a new agency or change what the authority does; it simply updates the name used in Georgia's laws. Section 1 lists thirteen specific sections of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, covering topics like the Emerging Crops Fund Act, mortgage lender exemptions, retirement system membership for employees, and the authority's purpose and powers, and directs that the old name be swapped for the new one everywhere it appears in those sections. Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws, a standard closing provision. The bill is described as already passed as of the header, meaning the name change would become part of Georgia law.

• Renames the Georgia Development Authority as the Georgia Agricultural Development Authority throughout the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
• Updates the authority's name in 13 specific Code sections covering topics such as the Emerging Crops Fund, mortgage lender rules, employee retirement provisions, and the authority's core powers.
• Makes only conforming name changes; it does not alter the authority's structure, funding, powers, or duties.
• Repeals any other laws that conflict with the renaming, a routine closing clause common to Georgia bills.

The Georgia Development Authority itself and its employees, whose retirement and employment references change names; agricultural borrowers who use its loan programs; mortgage lenders referenced in the exemption statute; and any state agency or law that currently refers to the authority by its old name.

Because the change is limited to the authority's name across Georgia law, day-to-day operations, loan programs, and employee benefits should continue unaffected. The main practical effect is that anyone referencing the authority in legal documents, contracts, or state filings will need to use its new name, the Georgia Agricultural Development Authority.

• Section 1 replaces 'Georgia Development Authority' with 'Georgia Agricultural Development Authority' in 13 named Code sections, including those governing the Emerging Crops Fund Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 2-8A-3, 2-8A-5 through 2-8A-7).
• Section 1 also updates references in laws on mortgage lender exemptions (O.C.G.A. § 7-1-1001), employee retirement (O.C.G.A. §§ 45-18-7.1, 47-2-318), and the authority's creation, purpose, and powers (O.C.G.A. §§ 50-10-1, 50-10-3 through 50-10-5).
• Section 1 updates references in state financing definitions (O.C.G.A. § 50-17-21) and legislative intent language regarding the authority's rights, duties, and assets (O.C.G.A. § 50-23-2).
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws, a standard provision ensuring the renaming takes full legal effect.

1. 2026-05-06Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-06Act 432
3. 2026-05-06Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2026-03-16House Passed/Adopted (House)
6. 2026-03-16House Third Readers (House)
7. 2026-03-12House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
8. 2026-02-12House Second Readers (House)

• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)Primary sponsor
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Steven Meeks (R, HD-178)

1. PassedSenate voteFebruary 10, 2026

   47 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 5 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #534

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 16, 2026

   154 yea, 0 nay (7 not voting, 15 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #705

• agriculture policy
• state agencies
• Georgia Development Authority
• agricultural lending
• government renaming