---
title: SR 256. State Restaurant Day; recognize February 26, 2025
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sr256
cite_as: SR 256, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr256
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr256.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr256/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70777
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/sr255.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr257.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 94
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr256.md?full=1
bill_number: SR 256
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2025-02-26
last_action: Senate Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Sonya Halpern
  - David Lucas
  - Nan Orrock
  - Ben Watson
  - Bo Hatchett
  - Mike Hodges
  - Sally Harrell
  - Randal Mangham
  - Chuck Hufstetler
  - Randy Robertson
  - Jason Anavitarte
text_version: Enrolled
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR256/2025
upstream_id: 1982116
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - restaurant industry
  - state commendation
  - small business
  - Georgia economy
---

# SR 256. State Restaurant Day; recognize February 26, 2025

## Text

Senate Resolution 256
By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Lucas of the 26th, Orrock of the 36th, Watson of the 1st,
Hatchett of the 50th and others
A RESOLUTION
Commending the restaurant industry of Georgia and recognizing February 26, 2025, as State
Restaurant Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the restaurant industry plays a vital role in Georgia's economic prosperity and
the quality of life for all Georgians; and
WHEREAS, Georgia's restaurant industry comprises more than 23,000 food and drink
establishments and generates more than $30.1 billion annually, providing more than 500,000
jobs statewide; and
WHEREAS, the majority of Georgia's restaurants are independently owned small businesses;
and
WHEREAS, numerous national restaurant industry brands are headquartered in Georgia; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Restaurant Association is dedicated to providing a voice in
advocacy, education, and awareness for the restaurant industry throughout the state to
express to residents and visitors the great value, quality, and services provided by local food
establishments; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Restaurant Association Foundation works with state and local
agencies to promote food safety and job skills through the ServSafe® and ProStart®
educational programs as well as the industry mentoring of young professionals; and
WHEREAS, fifty percent of all adults in Georgia have worked in the restaurant industry,
thereby providing jobs skills that serve as a launching point for careers; and
WHEREAS, the contributions and efforts of the professionals working in the restaurant
industry to provide the highest quality food and drinks in Georgia, to promote small business,
and to contribute billions of dollars to local and state tax revenue to stimulate economic
growth are worthy of recognition.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
commend the restaurant industry as critical to the economic vitality of the State of Georgia
and recognize February 26, 2025, as State Restaurant Day at the state capitol.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Georgia
Restaurant Association.

## 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 recognizes February 26, 2025 as State Restaurant Day at the state capitol, commending the state's restaurant industry for its economic contributions.

### Plain-language summary

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a law that changes anyone's rights or duties. It recognizes February 26, 2025 as State Restaurant Day at the state capitol and commends Georgia's restaurant industry, citing figures such as more than 23,000 food and drink establishments, over $30.1 billion in annual economic activity, and more than 500,000 jobs statewide.
The resolution also highlights the Georgia Restaurant Association and its foundation's work on food safety and job training programs like ServSafe and ProStart. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Restaurant Association. It does not create any new law, funding, or regulation.

### What it does

- Formally recognizes February 26, 2025 as State Restaurant Day at the Georgia state capitol.
- Commends the restaurant industry for its role in Georgia's economy and job creation.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Restaurant Association.
- Cites statistics about restaurant establishments, revenue, and jobs to support the recognition, without creating any binding legal requirement.

### Who it affects

The resolution primarily affects the Georgia Restaurant Association and its foundation, which are named recipients of the honor, as well as restaurant owners and workers across Georgia whose industry is being commended.

### Why it matters

Because this is a commendation rather than a law, it does not change any rights, taxes, or regulations for restaurants or their workers. Its practical effect is symbolic, giving public recognition to the restaurant industry's economic role in Georgia.

### Key provisions

- The resolving clause recognizes February 26, 2025 as State Restaurant Day at the state capitol and commends the restaurant industry as critical to Georgia's economy.
- A further resolution clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Restaurant Association.
- The whereas clauses (background statements) cite that Georgia's restaurant industry includes more than 23,000 establishments, generates over $30.1 billion annually, and provides more than 500,000 jobs.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2025-02-26)
- Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-02-26)
- Sponsors: Sonya Halpern, David Lucas, Nan Orrock, Ben Watson, Bo Hatchett, Mike Hodges, Sally Harrell, Randal Mangham, Chuck Hufstetler, Randy Robertson, Jason Anavitarte
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70777

> The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr256.md?full=1