---
title: HR 58. Bell, Former State Representative Simone; distinguished public service, leadership, and contributions to the State of Georgia; recognize
collection: bills
id: 2026-special/hr58
cite_as: HR 58, 2026 Special Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr58
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr58.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr58/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74919
date: 2026-06-23
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/2026-special.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr57.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr59.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr58.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 58
session: 2026 Special Session
session_slug: 2026-special
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-06-23
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Karla Drenner
  - Park Cannon
  - Samuel Park
  - Marvin Lim
  - Bryce Berry
  - Stacey Evans
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR58/2026/X1
upstream_id: 2154543
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - state legislature honors
  - Georgia House of Representatives
  - LGBTQ representation
  - civic recognition
---

# HR 58. Bell, Former State Representative Simone; distinguished public service, leadership, and contributions to the State of Georgia; recognize

## Text

House Resolution 58EX
By: Representatives Drenner of the 85th, Cannon of the 58th, Park of the 107th, Lim of the 98th,
Berry of the 56th, and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing former State Representative Simone Bell for her distinguished public service,
leadership, and contributions to the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, public service is strengthened by leaders who dedicate themselves to improving
their communities and expanding opportunities for others; and
WHEREAS, former State Representative Simone Bell has devoted her career to civic
engagement, community leadership, advocacy, and service to the people of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, after coming to Georgia as a student at Agnes Scott College, Simone Bell
became a respected community organizer and advocate whose work has positively impacted
communities throughout this state; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, Simone Bell was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives,
making history as a trailblazer for African American and LGBTQ representation in state
government and public service; and
H. R. 58EX
WHEREAS, her historic election expanded opportunities for future generations of leaders
and helped ensure that more Georgians could see themselves reflected in the democratic
process; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure in this chamber, she served her constituents with dedication
and integrity and demonstrated the importance of leadership grounded in service, courage,
and commitment to the public good; and
WHEREAS, throughout her years of service and in her continued work beyond elected
office, Simone Bell has remained a steadfast advocate for civic engagement, equality, justice,
and stronger communities; and
WHEREAS, her example reminds us that leadership often requires the courage to break new
ground and the perseverance to create pathways for those who follow; and
WHEREAS, the members of this body are honored to welcome Simone Bell and her wife,
Val, to the House of Representatives and to recognize her lasting contributions to the State
of Georgia.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize and commend former State Representative Simone Bell
for her distinguished public service, pioneering leadership, and enduring contributions to the
people of Georgia.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to
former State Representative Simone Bell.
H. R. 58EX

## 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 House resolution honors former State Representative Simone Bell of Atlanta for her public service and her historic 2009 election as one of the state's first African American and LGBTQ legislators.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives formally recognizes former State Representative Simone Bell for her career in public service. It recounts her path from student at Agnes Scott College to community organizer, and then to her 2009 election to the Georgia House, which the resolution describes as historic for African American and LGBTQ representation in state government.

The resolution commends Bell for her service during her time in the House and for her continued civic engagement and advocacy work after leaving office. It directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Bell. Like most such resolutions, it does not change any Georgia law; it is a formal statement of recognition adopted by the chamber.

### What it does

- Formally recognizes and commends former State Representative Simone Bell for her public service and leadership.
- States that her 2009 election to the Georgia House of Representatives was historic for African American and LGBTQ representation.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Bell.
- Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute; it is a ceremonial statement adopted by the House.

### Who it affects

The resolution directly names former State Representative Simone Bell and her wife, Val, who are recognized and welcomed by the House. It does not impose obligations on the public, businesses, or government agencies beyond the Clerk of the House preparing a commemorative copy.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect on Georgians generally, but it places an official record of the General Assembly's recognition of a former legislator's career and historic election into the state's legislative history.

### Key provisions

- The resolved clause has the House of Representatives recognize and commend Simone Bell for her public service, leadership, and contributions.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare an appropriate copy of the resolution for Bell.
- The whereas clauses describe her background, her 2009 election, and her continued advocacy work after leaving office.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-06-23)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-06-23)
- Sponsors: Karla Drenner, Park Cannon, Samuel Park, Marvin Lim, Bryce Berry, Stacey Evans
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74919

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr58.md?full=1