WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SR 148

Memorials, Academic Achievement - Brenia Knox, Salutatorian, Whitehaven High School -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Raumesh Akbari

Georgia Senate SR 148 commends Taiwan as a key economic/democratic partner and urges expanded ties—trade talks, education exchanges, cultural cooperation, and a Georgia office in Taiwan.

Signed by Senate Speaker
#academicachievement #memorials
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SR 148

Note on source material
The bill metadata you provided (Bill No. SR 148; title commending Ole Miss coach Chris Beard) does not match the text of the legislative document supplied. The text in the file is a multi-version docket primarily for Georgia Senate Resolution 148 (SR 148) — a non‑binding state Senate resolution recognizing and commending Taiwan and encouraging expanded U.S.–Taiwan and Georgia–Taiwan ties. This summary is prepared from the resolution text and legislative action records included in the document.

Purpose

SR 148 is a ceremonial and policy‑expressing resolution by the Georgia Senate that recognizes Taiwan as an important economic and democratic partner of the United States and the State of Georgia, and that encourages strengthened trade, education, cultural, and institutional ties between Georgia and Taiwan.

Key provisions and requests

  • Expresses support for continued talks under the “US–Taiwan Initiative on 21st‑Century Trade” and for negotiating a “US–Taiwan Avoid Double Taxation Agreement.”
  • Encourages the State of Georgia to consider establishing a Georgia trade office in Taiwan (noting that 23 other U.S. states and Guam have done so).
  • Urges organization of Georgia trade delegations to Taiwan and encourages Georgia city governments to participate in Taiwan’s annual “Smart City” forum.
  • Supports the establishment/maintenance of a Georgia Taiwan Caucus to explore collaborative opportunities.
  • Backs Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and economic arrangements (resolution cites WHO, UNFCCC, ICAO, INTERPOL, CPTPP, and IPEF).
  • Encourages signing an education cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Taiwan to increase exchanges of scholars, teachers, and students.
  • Recommends use of the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) as a Chinese proficiency tool for Georgia’s State Seal of Biliteracy and promotes Taiwanese American Heritage Week and cultural exchanges (e.g., tourism, food).
  • Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to Governor Brian Kemp, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Congressional Delegation, and Mr. Elliot Wang, Director‑General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta.

Facts and figures cited in the resolution

  • U.S.–Taiwan trade: approximately $128 billion (stated as U.S. is Taiwan’s second‑largest trading partner and Taiwan is the U.S.’s eighth).
  • Taiwan’s rank for Georgia in 2023: 15th largest import market and 17th largest export market for Georgia.
  • Taiwan donated $200,000 to Georgia for Hurricane Helene relief (cited in the text).

Who is affected

  • This is a non‑binding resolution directed at state executives, economic development entities, educational institutions, local governments, and the Taiwanese community in Georgia. It signals legislative support for executive action but does not create binding obligations or appropriate funds.

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • Introduced (late February 2025) and referred to committees.
  • Substitute versions and committee amendments were adopted.
  • The resolution was passed/adopted by the Senate (various entries show adoption in March–April 2025; one record shows a 3/27/2025 roll call of 38–0).
  • Reported enrolled and transmitted to the Secretary of State in June 2025.
  • A companion measure is listed as SCR 178.

Impact and limitations

  • Impact: Primarily symbolic and promotional — it may prompt state executive agencies or local governments to pursue trade missions, education MOUs, or cultural programming with Taiwan and may strengthen ties with the Taiwanese business community in Georgia.
  • Limitations: SR 148 does not appropriate funds, create statutory duties, or change international policy; actual trade offices, delegations, or MOUs would require separate executive or legislative action and funding. The resolution could also have diplomatic or political implications given U.S.–China–Taiwan sensitivities, but it itself is a state‑level, nonbinding expression of support.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.