---
title: SR 1040. Small Business Week; recognize May 4-10, 2026
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sr1040
cite_as: SR 1040, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1040
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1040.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1040/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74433
date: 2026-03-27
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/sr1039.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1041.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 94
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1040.md?full=1
bill_number: SR 1040
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-03-27
last_action: Senate Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Derek Mallow
  - Ben Watson
  - Billy Hickman
text_version: Enrolled
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR1040/2025
upstream_id: 2138456
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - small business
  - economic development
  - Chatham County
  - legislative resolutions
---

# SR 1040. Small Business Week; recognize May 4-10, 2026

## Text

Senate Resolution 1040
By: Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Watson of the 1st and Hickman of the 4th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing May 4–10, 2026, as Small Business Week; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and play a vital
role in the economic vitality, innovation, and job creation within the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, in Chatham County, small businesses represent a significant portion of the
business community, contributing to a diverse and resilient local economy while providing
essential goods, services, and employment opportunities to residents; and
WHEREAS, small businesses foster entrepreneurship, strengthen community identity, and
enhance the quality of life by supporting local initiatives, investing in neighborhoods, and
creating pathways for economic mobility; and
WHEREAS, according to state data in Georgia, small businesses employs more than 40
percent of the private workforce and are responsible for a substantial share of new job
creation, demonstrating their critical importance to sustained economic growth; and
WHEREAS, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and its partners, including, work
year-round to support small businesses through advocacy, education, networking, and access
to resources, ensuring their continued success and growth; and
WHEREAS, Small Business Week provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the
achievements, resilience, and contributions of small business owners and their employees;
and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to honor the dedication, ingenuity, and hard work of small
business owners who drive innovation and economic prosperity in our communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize May 4–10, 2026, as Small Business Week and celebrate the small businesses that
are vital to the success and strength of our local and state economy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the
press.

## 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 Senate resolution would designate May 4-10, 2026 as Small Business Week, honoring small businesses and their role in the state and local economy.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a ceremonial statement from the Senate recognizing May 4-10, 2026 as Small Business Week, citing the role small businesses play in job creation, community identity, and economic growth across Georgia, with specific mention of Chatham County and the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce.
The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and the press. It has no enforcement mechanism, funding, or regulatory effect; it simply expresses the Senate's recognition and appreciation of small business owners and employees.

### What it does

- Formally designates May 4-10, 2026 as Small Business Week in the Georgia Senate's official record.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
- Cites state data claiming small businesses employ more than 40 percent of Georgia's private workforce.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a symbolic statement of recognition.

### Who it affects

Small business owners and employees across Georgia, with particular mention of those in Chatham County and members of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, are named as the group being recognized, though the resolution imposes no obligations on them.

### Why it matters

Because this is a ceremonial resolution rather than a law, it does not change taxes, regulations, or funding for small businesses. Its practical effect is limited to public recognition and distributed copies, though it signals which industries state lawmakers choose to highlight.

### Key provisions

- The resolution's whereas clauses state that small businesses employ more than 40 percent of Georgia's private workforce and drive job creation.
- The resolved clause formally recognizes May 4-10, 2026 as Small Business Week and celebrates small businesses' role in the state and local economy.
- A further resolved clause authorizes the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-03-27)
- Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-03-27)
- Sponsors: Derek Mallow, Ben Watson, Billy Hickman
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74433

> The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1040.md?full=1