Georgia governor signs bill to create ‘Georgia Capitol Agricultural History Museum’

ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal has signed into law a measure that designates an area within the Capitol Museum as the “Georgia Capitol Agricultural History Museum.”

“From our humble beginnings in colonial America to our present day status as the socioeconomic hub of the South, agriculture has remained Georgia’s largest source of economic revenue,” Valencia Seay, D-Riverdale, said in a statement.  “It is only appropriate that we have permanent reminder of our state’s storied agribusiness under the golden dome.  I want to thank Gov. Deal for supporting this measure and I look forward to all of our visitors encountering this truly unique museum experience.”

Senate Bill 274 requires 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 go into effect on July 1.