HB1082: HB1082 Victims of Communism Day; November 7 of each year; designate

This bill adds a new section to Georgia's holidays and observances law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 4 of Title 1) creating a day of recognition called Victims of Communism Day, set on November 7 each year. The bill opens with legislative findings describing the history of communist governments worldwide, citing figures such as Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong, and asserting that communist regimes killed more than 100 million people and violated basic rights like freedom of speech, worship, and association. The operative part of the bill lets the Governor issue a yearly proclamation naming November 7 as Victims of Communism Day, to be marked with public exercises at the state capitol or other locations the Governor chooses. The bill does not create a paid state holiday, close government offices, or require any specific spending.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 1-4-28) designating November 7 of each year as 'Victims of Communism Day' in Georgia.
• Authorizes, but does not require, the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the day.
• Directs that the day be suitably observed through public exercises at the state capitol or other locations the Governor designates.
• Sets out legislative findings describing the history and human toll of communist governments worldwide as the basis for the designation.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with the new designation.

The bill mainly affects the Governor's office, which gains authority to issue an annual proclamation, and state government functions tied to public observances at the capitol. It also speaks to Georgia residents and descendants of people who lived under communist governments, whom the bill's findings specifically mention.

If enacted, Georgians would gain an officially recognized day marking the history of communist governments, observed through public ceremonies rather than a day off work or school. It does not change any criminal, civil, or regulatory law beyond creating this symbolic designation.

• Section 1 lists legislative findings on the history of communism, naming leaders like Stalin, Lenin, Mao Zedong, and Pol Pot, and asserting communist regimes killed over 100 million people.
• Section 2 adds new Code section 1-4-28, designating November 7 as 'Victims of Communism Day' in Georgia.
• Section 2 also allows the Governor to issue an annual proclamation for the day, to be observed by public exercise at the state capitol or elsewhere as designated.
• Section 3 repeals any existing laws that conflict with this Act.

1. 2026-03-03House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2026-02-02House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-01-29House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-01-28House Hopper (House)

• Reynaldo Martinez (R, HD-111)Primary sponsor
• Noelle Kahaian (R, HD-081)
• Johnny Chastain (R, HD-007)
• Sandy Donatucci (R, HD-105)
• David Clark (R, HD-100)
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)

• state holidays and observances
• Georgia history
• communism
• legislative proclamations