State House of Representatives Overwhelmingly Passes Legislation to Create Agricultural History Museum

ATLANTA (March 18, 2014) | Today, the Georgia House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 274 with a vote of 166–2. Sen. Valencia Seay (D- Riverdale) sponsored the legislation which will provide a designated area within the Capitol Museum as the “Georgia Capitol Agricultural History Museum.”

“Our state house is a living, breathing history book that educates all those who come through her doors,” said Sen. Seay.  “I applaud my colleagues in both chambers for their swift action on this legislative measure that acknowledges those farmers who have been instrumental in our state’s success and agribusiness as Georgia’s number one source of economic revenue.  I look forward to Gov. Nathan Deal’s signature on Senate Bill 274 so that all those who visit the Capitol encounter our storied agricultural history.”

This bill entails for certain areas within the capitol museum to be dedicated to the history of agriculture. The Capitol Arts Standards Commission, in cooperation with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the Commission on the Preservation of the State Capitol, will allocate these areas. The designated area will be maintained, operated, and managed in the same manner as the other areas of the museum.

The Capitol Arts Standards Commission can accept federal and private funds to maintain this artwork. All funds received for the artwork shall be maintained in a separate interest-bearing account, and this account should not lapse.

SB 274 will now head to Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk for consideration.

For Immediate Release:
March 18, 2014

For Information Contact:

Jennifer Yarber, Director
Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist
shawna.mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028