---
title: SR 956. Upper Austrian Parliamentary Delegation in the State of Georgia; celebrate the arrival
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sr956
cite_as: SR 956, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr956
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr956.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr956/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74095
date: 2026-03-18
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/sr955.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr957.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 94
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr956.md?full=1
bill_number: SR 956
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-03-18
last_action: Senate Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Larry Walker
  - Jason Anavitarte
  - Harold Jones
  - Drew Echols
text_version: Enrolled
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR956/2025
upstream_id: 2134572
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - international relations
  - Georgia-Austria trade
  - legislative resolutions
  - economic development
---

# SR 956. Upper Austrian Parliamentary Delegation in the State of Georgia; celebrate the arrival

## Text

Senate Resolution 956
By: Senators Walker III of the 20th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Jones II of the 22nd and Echols
of the 49th
A RESOLUTION
Celebrating the arrival of the Upper Austrian Parliamentary Delegation in the State of
Georgia; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia has maintained a longstanding, mutually beneficial
relationship with the Republic of Austria, which established a consular presence in Georgia
in 1949 and is represented by Ambassador Petra Schneebauer at the Embassy of Austria in
Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, Georgia is home to the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Austria, where
Mr. Paul Seefried has served as honorary consul since 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Economic Development has maintained continuous
representation in Europe since 1973, strengthening economic ties and assisting European
firms locating in Georgia and Georgia companies exporting to Europe; and
WHEREAS, Georgia and the Province of Upper Austria are members of the Regional
Leaders Summit, fostering cooperation among leading international regions; and
WHEREAS, academic, legal, and cultural partnerships continue through University System
of Georgia study abroad programs in Austria, collaboration between the Atlanta Center for
International Arbitration and the Vienna International Arbitral Centre, and artistic exchanges
and museum exhibitions; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Austrian visitors contributed $7.9 million to Georgia's economy, and
trade between Georgia and Austria remains strong, with $34 million in Georgia exports and
$1.3 billion in imports.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
celebrate the arrival of the Upper Austrian Parliamentary Delegation in the State of Georgia
and extend warm best wishes for a productive and meaningful visit.
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 Upper Austrian
Parliamentary Delegation.

## 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 welcomes a visiting parliamentary delegation from Upper Austria and celebrates longstanding economic, academic, and cultural ties between Georgia and Austria.

### Plain-language summary

This is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Georgia Senate marking the arrival of the Upper Austrian Parliamentary Delegation in Georgia. It does not change any law. Instead, it recites the history of Georgia's relationship with Austria, including Austria's consular presence in Georgia since 1949, the Honorary Consulate led by Paul Seefried since 2020, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development's representation in Europe since 1973.
The resolution also notes that Georgia and the Province of Upper Austria both belong to the Regional Leaders Summit, and points to academic exchanges through University System of Georgia study abroad programs, legal cooperation between Atlanta and Vienna arbitration centers, and cultural exchanges. It cites 2023 figures showing Austrian visitors contributed $7.9 million to Georgia's economy, with $34 million in Georgia exports to Austria and $1.3 billion in imports. The Senate formally welcomes the delegation and directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to them.

### What it does

- Formally welcomes the Upper Austrian Parliamentary Delegation to Georgia on behalf of the Senate and wishes them a productive visit.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the delegation.
- Recites historical, economic, academic, and cultural ties between Georgia and Austria without creating any new law, funding, or requirement.

### Who it affects

The resolution primarily concerns the Upper Austrian Parliamentary Delegation, the Georgia Senate, and the Austrian Honorary Consulate in Georgia. It has no direct legal effect on ordinary Georgians, businesses, or agencies beyond this ceremonial gesture.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries no legal or financial consequences; it is a symbolic gesture of goodwill. Its main significance is diplomatic and ceremonial, reflecting Georgia's trade, tourism, and academic relationships with Austria rather than changing anything Georgians experience day to day.

### Key provisions

- The resolution's whereas clauses describe Austria's consular presence in Georgia since 1949 and the Honorary Consulate led by Paul Seefried since 2020.
- It notes the Georgia Department of Economic Development has had continuous representation in Europe since 1973.
- It cites Georgia and Upper Austria's shared membership in the Regional Leaders Summit and academic, legal, and cultural exchange programs.
- It states 2023 economic figures: $7.9 million in tourism spending by Austrian visitors, $34 million in Georgia exports to Austria, and $1.3 billion in imports from Austria.
- The resolving clauses formally celebrate the delegation's visit and direct the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to them.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-03-18)
- Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-03-18)
- Sponsors: Larry Walker, Jason Anavitarte, Harold Jones, Drew Echols
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74095

> The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr956.md?full=1