State Institutions and Property Committee approves donated Capitol marker, forestry building name and 'Original 33' memorial

The State Institutions and Property Committee approved three ceremonial and commemorative measures during a committee meeting: permission to place a privately donated bronze marker on the Georgia State Capitol grounds and a second marker at the State Archives; a resolution to name the Georgia Forestry Commission building for John W. Mixon; and a memorial to display the names of the "Original 33" Black lawmakers in the Capitol.

The measures drew brief presentations from bill sponsors and were advanced by voice vote with no recorded opposition in committee.

Representative Buckner told the committee the commemorative marker and second marker for the State Archives are privately funded and would require permission from the Capitol Arts Commission and the Board of Regents for placement on Capitol property. "There's no charge to the state," Buckner said, and the group hopes to unveil the marker as part of the America 250 celebration in January of next year.

Representative Kemp said House Resolution LC600100S would name the Georgia Forestry Commission building for John W. Mixon, a long-serving forestry commissioner. Kemp told the committee the measure "passed the House 63 to 0" and that no state funds are required for the change.

Representative Gilliard (reported in committee as Representative Gilligan/Gilliard in the transcript) described House Bill 303 as a simple indoor memorial that would present the 33 names of the original Black members of the Georgia legislature. He told members the memorial is intended to be a clear, plain template listing those names so visitors and school groups can see them inside the Capitol. Gilliard said the measure previously passed the House and was carried unanimously in the Senate when it was considered earlier.

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 254 (permission for donated bronze marker on Capitol grounds; second marker at State Archives): Approved by committee on voice vote; presenter said the marker is privately funded and that Capitol Arts Commission approval is required for placement on Capitol grounds and Board of Regents approval is required for the State Archives placement.

- HR 121 / LC600100S (name Georgia Forestry Commission building for John W. Mixon): Approved by committee on voice vote; presenter said the measure passed the House 63–0 and requires no state funding; Senator Echols was identified in committee as the senator who will carry the measure.

- House Bill 303 / LC600065 (memorial to the "Original 33"): Approved by committee on voice vote; presenter said the memorial will display the 33 names inside the Capitol and that the measure had broad bipartisan support when it passed earlier.

Committee procedure and next steps

Each item was moved, seconded and advanced by voice vote with no roll-call tally taken in committee. Committee members and presenters repeatedly stated that the three items carry no cost to the state because private donors will cover expenses. Committee members noted that placement on Capitol property will require the administrative approvals named by sponsors (Capitol Arts Commission for the grounds marker; Board of Regents for the archives marker) before any installation occurs.

The measures will proceed through the usual legislative process after leaving committee; sponsors and committee members mentioned specific carry bills for later stages (for example, committee discussion identified Senator Echols as the senator who will carry the forestry-building measure in the Senate).

Acknowledgments and context

Presenters described the measures as largely symbolic honors: the bronze marker is framed as part of the national America 250 commemoration; the building name recognizes longtime forestry service; and the "Original 33" memorial aims to make plainly visible the names of the 33 Black legislators who served Reconstruction-era Georgia, a group that presenters said includes individuals who were later expelled or targeted by violence.

No substantive policy, budgetary or regulatory changes were adopted in the committee during consideration of these items.