HB1394: HB1394 Community Affairs, Department of; ensure that Rosenwald Schools are treated as historic properties

Georgia law defines what counts as a 'historic property' for purposes of the Department of Community Affairs' historic preservation grant program and grant fund (O.C.G.A. § 12-3-58). That definition currently covers districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant to the state's history, and already names combat veterans' gravesites as an example. This bill rewrites that definition to also specifically list Rosenwald Schools located in Georgia. Rosenwald Schools were schools built in the early 1900s to educate Black children in the segregated South. By naming them directly in the statute, the bill removes any ambiguity about whether these schools qualify for state historic preservation grant funding. The bill repeals any conflicting laws but does not list a separate effective date in the text provided.

• Rewrites the definition of 'historic property' in Georgia's historic preservation grant law (O.C.G.A. § 12-3-58) to include Rosenwald Schools located in the state.
• Places Rosenwald Schools alongside combat veterans' gravesites as an explicit example of a site significant in Georgia history under the statute.
• Makes Rosenwald Schools eligible, by clearer statutory language, for the Department of Community Affairs' historic preservation grant program and grant fund.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with this change.

The change affects the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, which runs the historic preservation grant program, as well as owners, caretakers, and communities associated with Rosenwald Schools across Georgia who may seek preservation grant funding under the clarified definition.

By naming Rosenwald Schools directly in the statute, the bill gives these buildings a clearer path to state historic preservation grant money, which could help fund their restoration or upkeep. Without the explicit listing, eligibility for such grants could be less certain.

• Section 1 amends paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of O.C.G.A. § 12-3-58 to revise the definition of 'historic property.'
• The revised definition keeps the existing general description (districts, sites, buildings, structures, monuments, or objects significant to state history) and adds Rosenwald Schools in Georgia to the list of sites deemed significant, alongside combat veterans' gravesites.
• Section 2 repeals any laws or parts of laws that conflict with the new definition.

1. 2026-03-03House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
2. 2026-02-20House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-19House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-02-19House Hopper (House)

• Mack Jackson (D, HD-128)Primary sponsor
• Floyd Griffin (D, HD-149)
• David Sampson (D, HD-153)
• Regina Lewis-Ward (D, HD-115)
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Patty Stinson (D, HD-150)

• historic preservation
• Rosenwald Schools
• state grants
• African American history
• Department of Community Affairs