--- title: SR 356. Mensch, Steve; condolences collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr356 cite_as: SR 356, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr356 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr356.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr356/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71193 date: 2025-03-10 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-11 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/sr355.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr357.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr356.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 356 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-10 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Brandon Beach - Brian Strickland - Emanuel Jones - Chuck Hufstetler - Donzella James text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR356/2025 upstream_id: 1994242 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Georgia Senate resolution - condolences - film industry - Tyler Perry Studios --- # SR 356. Mensch, Steve; condolences ## Text 25 LC 112 3310 Senate Resolution 356 By: Senators Beach of the 21st, Strickland of the 42nd, Jones of the 10th, Hufstetler of the 52nd and James of the 28th A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Steve Mensch; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Steve Mensch on December 6, 2024; and3 WHEREAS, Steve Mensch was raised in Goshen, New York, where he demonstrated early4 determination and skill as a member of the Boy Scouts as well a s claimed victory in the5 Pinewood Derby, a celebrated Cub Scouts racing event; and6 WHEREAS, he cultivated a lifelong passion for tennis and hockey from a young age,7 continuing to play and excel at both sports well into adulthood, and he had a deep love for8 scuba diving and the ocean; and9 WHEREAS, he further pursued his love of aviation, earning his pilot's license on September10 18, 2020, after completing his second first solo flight at Falcon Field in Fayette County; and11 WHEREAS, he custom-built an RV-12 two-seat, single-engine plane, incorporating special12 markings to honor his children and assigning it the tail number 702DP in tribute to his13 beloved wife, Danila Pirochta Mensch, whom he affectionately called "DP"; and14 S. R. 356 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3310 WHEREAS, he additionally dedicated time to volunteering with th e Young Eagles, a15 nonprofit program that has provided free flights to youth ages 8–17 for 30 years, inspiring16 the next generation of aviation enthusiasts; and17 WHEREAS, as a pivotal figure in Georgia's film and television industry, he played a vital18 role in advocating for the tax credits that established the sta te as a premier destination for19 film production, significantly contributing to Georgia's economic growth; and20 WHEREAS, during his remarkable career, he oversaw the creation and development of21 multiple studios, including Turner Studios, Third Rail Studios, and Qingdao Oriental Movie22 Industrial Park, culminating in his final role as president and general manager of studio23 operations at Tyler Perry Studios; and24 WHEREAS, he further served the film industry as a member of the Governor's Advisory25 Committee on Film, Music & Digital Entertainment; chair of the Georgia Screen26 Entertainment Coalition; board member of both ArtsNow Inc. and the Atlanta Jewish Film27 Festival; and president of the Georgia Production Partnership; and28 WHEREAS, he graduated with the 2020 Class of Leadership Atlanta, forging a strong and29 lasting bond with his cohort members; and30 WHEREAS, Steve Mensch actively participated in the lives of his children, Charles,31 Adelayna, and Josephine, by encouraging their interests and volunteering at their schools in32 Fayette County; and33 S. R. 356 - 2 - 25 LC 112 3310 WHEREAS, he gave inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern34 for his fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding he demonstrated to his35 family and friends were admired by others; and36 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Steve Mensch will long be remembered for37 his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great38 fortune of knowing him.39 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body40 join in honoring the life and memory of Steve Mensch and expres s their deepest and most41 sincere regret at his passing.42 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed43 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of Steve44 Mensch. 45 S. R. 356 - 3 - ## 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 honors the life of Steve Mensch, a longtime figure in Georgia's film and television industry, following his death on December 6, 2024. ### Plain-language summary This is a memorial resolution passed by the Georgia Senate honoring Steve Mensch, who died on December 6, 2024. The resolution recounts his personal life, including his upbringing in New York, his love of tennis, hockey, and scuba diving, and his pursuit of a pilot's license and volunteer work with the Young Eagles aviation program for youth. It also details his professional career in Georgia's film industry, where he advocated for the state's film tax credits and helped develop studios including Turner Studios, Third Rail Studios, and Tyler Perry Studios. The resolution formally expresses the Senate's regret at his passing and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to his family. ### What it does - Formally honors the life and memory of Steve Mensch on behalf of the Georgia Senate. - Expresses the Senate's deepest and most sincere regret at his passing. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Mensch's family. - Recites biographical details about his personal life, aviation pursuits, and career in Georgia's film and television industry. ### Who it affects This resolution directly concerns the family of Steve Mensch, including his wife Danila Pirochta Mensch and his children Charles, Adelayna, and Josephine, as well as members of the Georgia Senate who adopt it. ### Why it matters While it does not change any law, the resolution provides an official state tribute recognizing Mensch's contributions to Georgia's film and television industry, including his advocacy for the tax credits that helped build the state's film production business. ### Key provisions - The resolution's whereas clauses recount Mensch's personal life, aviation career, and role in developing Georgia film studios such as Turner Studios and Tyler Perry Studios. - The first resolving clause states the Senate joins in honoring his life and memory and expresses regret at his passing. - The second resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to his family. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-10) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-03-10) - Sponsors: Brandon Beach, Brian Strickland, Emanuel Jones, Chuck Hufstetler, Donzella James - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71193 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr356.md?full=1