HB1449: HB1449 Georgia Gold Standard Opportunity Grant Act of 2026; enact

Georgia currently has no dedicated state grant program aimed specifically at small businesses, small-scale farmers, and small nonprofit organizations. This bill, called the Georgia Gold Standard Opportunity Grant Act of 2026, would create one inside the Department of Community Affairs by adding a new article to state law governing that department. The bill defines who qualifies: small businesses under federal size standards, farmers with less than $500,000 in annual cash farm income, and nonprofits (including faith based groups and community advocacy organizations) with budgets under $2 million. Eligible applicants could receive up to $50,000 a year for things like equipment, capital improvements, operating costs, and workforce development, with priority given to nonprofits serving underserved urban and rural areas. The Department of Community Affairs must write program rules by January 1, 2027, and the state auditor and a House committee must review the program's financial health annually, with the department filing a public report each year by December 31.

• Creates the Georgia Gold Standard Opportunity Grant Program inside the Department of Community Affairs to give money to small businesses, small farmers, and small nonprofits.
• Sets a maximum annual grant of $50,000.00 per recipient, usable for capital improvements, equipment, operating expenses, and workforce development.
• Directs the Department of Community Affairs to write program rules and procedures by January 1, 2027.
• Requires the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts and a House committee to conduct an annual review of the program's financial sustainability.
• Requires the Department of Community Affairs to publish an annual report on grant spending and results, due to the Governor and legislative leaders by December 31 each year.
• Gives the department authority to temporarily reduce grant amounts if the state's revenue shortfall reserve drops below 10 percent of the prior year's net revenue.

Small businesses, small-scale farmers (including urban and community gardeners), and small nonprofit organizations such as faith based groups, food pantries, and community advocacy organizations would be eligible to apply. The Department of Community Affairs would run the program, and the Department of Audits and Accounts and a House committee would oversee it.

If enacted, eligible small businesses, farmers, and nonprofits could apply for grants of up to $50,000 a year toward equipment, operations, or workforce needs, funding that is not currently available through this kind of dedicated state program. The size of any actual payout depends on future budget appropriations the bill does not itself provide.

• Section 1 gives the bill its short title, the Georgia Gold Standard Opportunity Grant Act of 2026.
• Section 2 adds a new article (O.C.G.A. §§ 50-8-320 through 50-8-324) to the law governing the Department of Community Affairs.
• Code Section 50-8-320 states legislative findings, including a goal of a $1 billion grant initiative to address wealth gaps and food security.
• Code Section 50-8-321 defines 'small business,' 'small-scale farmer,' and 'small nonprofit organization' for purposes of the program.
• Code Section 50-8-322 establishes the grant program, requires rules by January 1, 2027, sets the $50,000.00 annual grant cap, and directs priority for underserved communities.
• Code Section 50-8-323 requires an annual economic solvency review and allows the department to adjust grant amounts if the state's revenue shortfall reserve falls below 10 percent of net revenue.
• Code Section 50-8-324 requires an annual public report on the grant fund's revenues, expenditures, and project outcomes, due by December 31 each year.
• Section 3 repeals conflicting laws, and the bill notes funding is subject to specific future appropriations.

1. 2026-02-26House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-25House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-24House Hopper (House)

• Derrick Jackson (D, HD-068)Primary sponsor
• Teddy Reese (D, HD-140)
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-088)
• El-Mahdi Holly (D, HD-116)
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)
• Inga Willis (D, HD-055)

• small business grants
• economic development
• rural farming
• nonprofit funding
• state budget