SR653: SR653 Keep Georgia Beautiful Day; recognize

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recognizes Keep Georgia Beautiful Day at the state capitol and highlights the work of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, which Governor George Busbee created by executive order in 1978. The resolution cites the foundation's network of more than 70 local affiliates and programs such as the Great American Cleanup, America Recycles Day, the Bring One for the Chipper Christmas tree recycling campaign, and BRACE blight reduction grants. It notes volunteer participation and funding figures the foundation reports, then directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally recognizes Keep Georgia Beautiful Day at the Georgia state capitol on behalf of the Senate.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.
• Creates no new law, funding, penalty, or requirement; it is a statement of recognition only.

The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation and its more than 70 local affiliates, the volunteers who take part in its cleanup and recycling programs, and Georgia communities that receive its grants are named in the resolution, though the measure itself imposes no obligations on them.

The resolution has no legal effect and changes no Georgia statute, but it gives official Senate recognition to a foundation whose litter, recycling, and beautification programs the text says reach roughly 80 percent of Georgia's population.

• The whereas clauses describe the foundation's 1978 origin, its network of over 70 local affiliates, and programs including the Great American Cleanup and BRACE grants.
• The whereas clauses cite figures such as 86 mini-grants totaling $400,000 over two years and volunteer participation valued at $87.31 million annually.
• The resolved clause formally recognizes Keep Georgia Beautiful Day at the state capitol.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2026-02-02Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-01-29Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)Primary sponsor
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)

• litter prevention
• recycling programs
• community beautification
• state recognition day