SR956: SR956 Upper Austrian Parliamentary Delegation in the State of Georgia; celebrate the arrival

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate marking the arrival of the Upper Austrian Parliamentary Delegation in the state. The text recounts the history of Georgia's relationship with Austria, including a consular presence dating to 1949, an honorary consul in Georgia since 2020, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development's representation in Europe since 1973. It also references shared membership in the Regional Leaders Summit, academic exchanges through University System of Georgia study abroad programs, legal cooperation between Atlanta and Vienna arbitration centers, and trade and tourism figures such as $7.9 million in Austrian visitor spending in 2023 and $1.3 billion in imports from Austria. The Senate resolves to welcome the delegation and directs the Secretary of the Senate to give them a copy of the resolution.

• Formally welcomes the Upper Austrian Parliamentary Delegation to Georgia and wishes them a productive visit.
• Recites the history of diplomatic, economic, academic, and cultural ties between Georgia and Austria.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the visiting delegation.
• Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute or appropriate any state funding.

The resolution directly concerns the Upper Austrian Parliamentary Delegation, the Georgia Senate, and the Secretary of the Senate, who must distribute a copy. It also references the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the University System of Georgia, and the Honorary Consulate of Austria.

The resolution has no legal effect on Georgians' daily lives; it is a symbolic gesture of goodwill. Its practical significance lies in publicly reaffirming Georgia's trade, tourism, and academic relationships with Austria and Upper Austria.

• The whereas clauses describe Austria's consular presence in Georgia since 1949 and the honorary consul serving since 2020.
• The whereas clauses cite the Georgia Department of Economic Development's European representation since 1973 and Georgia's membership in the Regional Leaders Summit with Upper Austria.
• The whereas clauses note academic and legal exchanges, including University System of Georgia study abroad programs and arbitration center cooperation with Vienna.
• The whereas clauses state that Austrian visitors contributed $7.9 million to Georgia's economy in 2023, with $34 million in Georgia exports and $1.3 billion in imports.
• The resolving clause formally welcomes the delegation and wishes them a productive visit.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to the delegation.

1. 2026-03-18Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-03-16Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)Primary sponsor
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)

• Georgia Senate resolutions
• Georgia-Austria relations
• international trade
• ceremonial legislation