GA HB1026

Designates the Southeast Georgia Soap Box Derby in Lyons, Georgia, as the official soap box derby of the State of Georgia and encourages the Department of Economic Development to promote it for tourism purposes.

Enacts the "Richard H. Smith Georgia CHIPS Advancement in Research and Economic Development Act," directing the OneGeorgia Authority to establish grant and loan programs to attract and support semiconductor companies in Georgia, subject to available funding.

Creates two funds: the Governor's CHIPS Economic Development Fund to provide performance-based grants and loans to semiconductor companies relocating to or expanding in Georgia, and the Research and Development and Advanced Packaging Incentives Fund to support workforce training, advanced packaging pilot facilities, public-private commercialization, university R&D recruitment, and microelectronics incubator initiatives focused on marginalized communities.

Establishes the Georgia CHIPS and Advanced Technology Consortium (GCATC) as an advisory body composed of designees from 10 Georgia institutions of higher education (including Georgia Tech, UGA, Georgia State, and Morehouse College), governed by a 9-member executive committee appointed by the Governor (3), President of the Senate (2), Speaker of the House (2), plus the USG chancellor and TCSG president.

Requires the executive committee to develop a statewide strategic plan for semiconductor innovation and submit a biennial report by December 1 of each even-numbered year detailing activities, funding opportunities, legislative recommendations, and research accomplishments.