HB1334: HB1334 Georgia-Africa and Caribbean Trade Commission; create

Georgia currently has no dedicated state body focused on building trade and investment relationships with African and Caribbean nations, even though the bill's findings describe these regions as fast-growing markets and note Georgia's ports, universities, and diaspora communities as assets. This bill would add a new article to Georgia's commissions law (O.C.G.A. Title 50, Chapter 12) establishing the Georgia-Africa and Caribbean Trade Commission. The commission would have 19 members, including several state commissioners, lawmakers appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders, a University System of Georgia representative, and five members with African or Caribbean market experience. It would meet at least twice a year, issue annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly, and have its own trust fund in the state treasury fed by appropriations, grants, and donations. Members would serve without pay but could be reimbursed for expenses. All appointments would be made within 90 days of the article's effective date.

• Creates the Georgia-Africa and Caribbean Trade Commission as a new advisory body under Georgia's commissions law (O.C.G.A. Title 50, Chapter 12).
• Sets the commission's membership at 19 people, mixing state officials, legislators, a university system representative, and business or trade representatives.
• Requires the commission to meet at least twice a year and submit a written report with recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by February 1 each year.
• Establishes a dedicated trust fund, the Georgia-Africa and Caribbean Trade Commission Fund, to hold appropriations, grants, gifts, and other money for the commission's work.
• Directs the commission to promote Georgia exports, attract foreign investment, support small and minority owned businesses in trade, and coordinate with the Department of Economic Development.

The bill affects state officials named as commission members (the commissioners of economic development, agriculture, and community affairs), legislators appointed to serve, University System of Georgia representatives, and Georgia businesses, trade organizations, and diaspora communities with ties to African or Caribbean markets.

If enacted, Georgia would gain a formal state body dedicated to expanding trade and investment ties with African and Caribbean nations, potentially opening new opportunities for exporters, small and minority owned businesses, universities, and workforce programs, backed by a dedicated state fund and regular reporting to state leaders.

• Section 1 lays out legislative findings on why Georgia should pursue trade with Africa and the Caribbean, including its ports, air connectivity, and diaspora communities.
• Section 2 adds new Article 9 to Chapter 12 of Title 50, creating the commission under Code Section 50-12-140.
• Subsection (a) sets the commission's 19-member composition, including agency heads, four House members, four Senate members, and five members with relevant business experience.
• Subsection (c) requires all initial appointments within 90 days of the article's effective date and specifies how vacancies are filled.
• Subsection (e) requires at least two annual hearings held around the state, and subsection (f) sets quorum and chairperson rules.
• Subsection (g) defines the commission's purposes, including promoting exports, attracting investment, and identifying regulatory barriers to trade.
• Subsection (g)(2) requires an annual written report to the Governor and General Assembly by February 1 each year.
• Subsection (h) creates the Georgia-Africa and Caribbean Trade Commission Fund in the state treasury, funded by appropriations, grants, and other contributions, invested under existing state depository rules.

1. 2026-02-19House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-18House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-17House Hopper (House)

• Gabe Okoye (D, HD-102)Primary sponsor
• Segun Adeyina (D, HD-110)
• El-Mahdi Holly (D, HD-116)
• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)
• Solomon Adesanya (D, HD-043)

• international trade
• economic development
• Georgia commissions
• Africa and Caribbean relations
• state government