HB1103: HB1103 Happy Highways Grant Program; establishment of and purpose; provide

26 LC 60 0206 House Bill 1103 By: Representatives Bell of the 75th, Gilliard of the 162nd, Holly of the 116th, Jackson of the 128th, Frye of the 122nd, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the Of ficial Code of Georgia1 Annotated, relating to state highway system, so as to provide f or the establishment of and2 purpose for the Happy Highways Grant Program; to provide for th e allocation of grant3 awards under such program; to provide for grant criteria and application process; to authorize4 the erection of up to two murals along the state highway system within each county; to5 authorize any signs containing such murals to be erected within 660 feet of the nearest edge6 of the right of way; to provide a definition; to provide for co ntingent effectiveness and7 automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to repeal con flicting laws; and for other8 purposes.9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:10 SECTION 1.11 Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,12 relating to state highway system, is amended by revising paragr aphs (4) and (5) of Code13 Section 32-6-72, relating to designation of outdoor advertising which may be erected or14 maintained within 660 feet of nearest edge of right of way, as follows:15 H. B. 1103 - 1 - 26 LC 60 0206 "(4) Signs located in areas zoned commercial or industrial, whi ch signs provide16 information in the specific interest of the traveling public, including, but not limited to,17 any sign erected pursuant to Code Section 32-6-87.2;18 (5) Signs located in unzoned commercial or industrial areas, w hich signs provide19 information in the specific interest of the traveling public, including, but not limited to,20 any sign erected pursuant to Code Section 32-6-87.2; and"21 SECTION 2.22 Said part is further amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:23 "32-6-87.2.24 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'grant program' mea ns the Happy Highways25 Grant Program established pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section.26 (b) Not later than July 1, 2027, and subject to appropriations by the General Assembly, the27 department shall establish the Happy Highways Grant Program for the purpose of awarding28 one-time grants to participating counties to promote tourism an d support roadside29 enhancement and beautification efforts by erecting up to two mu rals along the state30 highway system, in accordance with subsection (c) of this Code section. The department31 shall establish grant criteria, implement a grant application p rocess, and grant awards32 consistent with the provisions of this Code section; provided, however, that no county shall33 be awarded more than $150,000.00 per mural.34 (c) Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in this cha pter, each county is35 authorized to erect a mural on up to two bridges or overpasses on any public road that is36 part of the state highway system located within the county's corporate limits, or, if a county37 reasonably determines that no such bridge or overpass is available or suitable for erecting38 a mural, such county is authorized to erect up to two signs con taining a mural along any39 portion of the state highway system located within its corporate limits; provided, however,40 that any such sign shall comply with any applicable requirements set forth in Code Section41 H. B. 1103 - 2 - 26 LC 60 0206 32-6-75. The content of any mural erected pursuant to this Code section shall be consistent42 with the grant program's purpose as described in subsection (b) of this Code section,43 comply with the provisions set forth in Code Section 32-6-52 and paragraphs (1) and (21)44 of subsection (a) of Code Section 32-6-75, and focus on expressions of the county's culture,45 values, or history.46 (d) Each county seeking to participate in and receive funding from the grant program shall47 submit an application to the department in the manner prescribe d by the department,48 pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section.49 (e) The department is authorized to establish policies, rules, and regulations as necessary50 to administer and implement this Code section."51 SECTION 3.52 This Act shall become effective only if funds are specifically appropriated for the purposes53 of this Act in an appropriations Act enacted by the General Ass embly and shall stand54 repealed by operation of law on December 31, 2026, if no such funding becomes available55 before such date.56 SECTION 4.57 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.58 H. B. 1103 - 3 -