SR925: SR925 Senate Study Committee on a Museum of African American History and Culture of Georgia; create

This resolution sets up a temporary study committee in the Georgia Senate focused on African American history and culture. The committee would examine ideas such as creating a clearinghouse for African American historical information, cataloging historical materials and artifacts, and establishing a museum or similar facility to promote African American history and culture across Georgia. The committee would have five Senate members appointed by the President of the Senate, including the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate Minority Leader, and the chairperson of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. It can hold meetings, and legislative members receive standard daily allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) funded through the Senate's budget. The committee must file a report with any findings or proposed legislation, and it is set to dissolve on December 1, 2026.

• Creates the Senate Study Committee on a Museum of African American History and Culture of Georgia to study the issue.
• Sets the committee's membership at five senators, including the Senate Majority Leader, Minority Leader, and the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus chairperson, appointed by the Senate President.
• Directs the committee to study preservation, cataloging, and museum options for African American history and culture and recommend legislation if needed.
• Authorizes standard legislative daily allowances for committee members, capped at five days unless more are approved, funded from the Senate's budget.
• Requires the committee to file a report or meeting minutes with the Secretary of the Senate if it adopts findings.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2026.

This resolution mainly affects members of the Georgia Senate who will serve on the study committee, including Senate leadership and the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus chairperson. It could also eventually affect Georgians interested in African American history, museums, and cultural institutions if the committee's recommendations lead to future legislation.

The resolution does not create a museum itself; it only sets up a committee to study whether and how Georgia should preserve African American historical materials and possibly build a museum. Any concrete change, such as funding or creating a museum, would depend on future legislation based on the committee's findings.

• Paragraph (1) formally creates the Senate Study Committee on a Museum of African American History and Culture of Georgia.
• Paragraph (2) sets membership at five senators including the Majority Leader, Minority Leader, and Georgia Legislative Black Caucus chairperson, with a chairperson designated by the Senate President.
• Paragraph (3) directs the committee to study preservation, cataloging, and museum-related issues and recommend action or legislation.
• Paragraph (5) allows legislative allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days absent additional authorization, funded by Senate appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires the committee to file an approved report or, absent one, meeting minutes with the Secretary of the Senate.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
2. 2026-03-31Senate Third Read (Senate)
3. 2026-03-27Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
4. 2026-03-27Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
5. 2026-03-09Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
6. 2026-03-06Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)Primary sponsor
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   48 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 3 absent)

   Consent Calendar For Senate Study Committees: Senate Vote #875

• African American history
• museums
• Georgia Senate
• cultural preservation
• legislative study committees