Georgia CommonsSR 741: New Americans Day; recognize February 12, 2026
Last action February 10, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution designates February 12, 2026, as New Americans Day at the state capitol, honoring immigrants' contributions to the state.
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 Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally recognizes February 12, 2026, as New Americans Day at the state capitol, continuing a celebration that has been held annually for 13 years. The resolution lists a series of statements about foreign-born Georgians, including population figures, tax contributions, business ownership rates, and refugee resettlement success rates. The Senate resolves that its members commend the contributions of immigrants to Georgia and recognize the date as New Americans Day. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and the press. As a resolution rather than a bill, it carries symbolic and ceremonial weight but does not create, amend, or repeal any statute.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes February 12, 2026, as New Americans Day at the state capitol.
- Has the Senate commend the contributions of immigrants to the State of Georgia through a formal statement.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
- Makes no changes to Georgia statutes, funding, or agency rules; it is a ceremonial declaration only.
Who it affects
The resolution most directly concerns foreign-born Georgians and immigrant communities, whose contributions it commends. It also involves the Georgia Senate and the Secretary of the Senate, who is tasked with distributing copies of the resolution.
Why it matters
While the resolution does not alter any law or provide funding, it gives official state recognition to New Americans Day, an annual event at the capitol, and publicly acknowledges the economic and civic contributions of foreign-born residents in Georgia.
Key provisions
- The resolving clause recognizes February 12, 2026, as New Americans Day at the state capitol and commends immigrants' contributions to Georgia.
- A further resolution clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and the press.
- The preamble cites statistics such as 11 percent of Georgians being foreign-born and foreign-born residents contributing $15.8 billion in taxes annually, though these are background statements rather than enacted law.
From the bill
“the members of this body commend the manifold contributions of immigrants to the State of Georgia and recognize February 12, 2026, as New Americans Day at the state capitol.”
“foreign-born Georgians contribute $15.8 billion in federal, state, and local taxes annually and represent over $44 billion in spending power”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
- Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
- Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
- Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
- Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
- Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
Topics
- immigration
- New Americans Day
- state capitol ceremonies
- Georgia Senate resolutions