HB 1310: State symbols; cotton as official state fabric; designate

Georgia law includes a list of official state symbols, and this bill adds cotton to that list as the official state fabric. The bill starts with a set of legislative findings describing cotton's properties, such as its breathability and hypoallergenic qualities, and notes that Georgia farmers grow roughly one million acres of cotton each year across nearly 100 counties, generating more than $3 billion annually for the state's economy. The operative change is short: it adds a new Code section, O.C.G.A. § 50-3-96, to Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50, stating simply that cotton is the official Georgia state fabric. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws, which is standard closing language.

• Adds a new Code section, O.C.G.A. § 50-3-96, to Georgia law designating cotton as the official state fabric.
• States legislative findings about cotton's economic role in Georgia, citing about one million acres grown yearly across nearly 100 counties.
• Cites cotton's contribution of over $3 billion annually to Georgia's economy as part of the rationale for the designation.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with the new designation, standard closing language with no separate substantive effect.

The designation is largely symbolic, so it does not impose new duties or costs on any group. It touches Georgia's cotton farmers and rural agricultural communities, whose industry is highlighted in the bill's findings, and it affects the official list of Georgia state symbols maintained in state law.

The bill does not change any regulations, funding, or requirements; it adds a formal, symbolic recognition of cotton's role in Georgia's history and economy to the state code, similar to other designated state symbols like the state bird or flower.

• Section 1 lists legislative findings about cotton's properties and its economic contribution, including over $3 billion annually and cultivation across nearly 100 of Georgia's 159 counties.
• Section 2 adds new Code section 50-3-96 to Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50, stating that cotton is designated the official Georgia state fabric.
• Section 3 repeals any laws in conflict with the Act, standard boilerplate with no independent substantive effect.

1. 2026-05-06Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-06Act 430
3. 2026-05-06House Date Signed by Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2026-04-10House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2026-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted (Senado)
6. 2026-04-02Senate Third Read (Senado)
7. 2026-04-02Senate Taken from Table (Senado)
8. 2026-03-31Senate Tabled (Senado)

• Jaclyn Ford (R, HD-170)Patrocinador principal
• Robert Dickey (R, HD-134)
• Steven Meeks (R, HD-178)
• Angie O'Steen (R, HD-169)
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Charles Cannon (R, HD-172)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes3 de marzo de 2026

   158 a favor, 0 en contra (2 sin votar, 17 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #592

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado31 de marzo de 2026

   39 a favor, 10 en contra (2 sin votar, 3 ausentes)

   Motion To Table Remaining Legislation On The Rules Calendar: Senate Vote #912

3. AprobadaVotación: Senado2 de abril de 2026

   50 a favor, 1 en contra (2 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

   Passage: Senate Vote #981

• state symbols
• cotton
• Georgia agriculture
• state fabric