HB14: HB14 State symbols; cornbread as official state bread; designate

The header for this bill describes it as designating cornbread as Georgia's official state bread, but the text supplied here does not contain any such provision. Instead, the operative sections enact the 'Georgia Music Office and Music Ready Communities Act,' which amends Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (the state government code) to add a new article to the law governing the Department of Economic Development. The bill creates the Georgia Music Office, to be led by a director chosen by the commissioner of economic development, who must have at least five years of music industry experience. The office would promote Georgia's music industry, act as a liaison between music businesses and state agencies, publicize festivals and events, and run a 'Music Friendly Georgia Certified Communities Program' for cities and counties. Rules and regulations depend on funding approved by the General Assembly.

• Creates the Georgia Music Office inside the Department of Economic Development to promote and grow Georgia's music industry statewide.
• Requires the commissioner of economic development to appoint a director with at least five years of music industry experience to lead the office.
• Directs the office to act as a liaison between music businesses and government agencies handling workforce development, education, and tourism.
• Establishes a Music Friendly Georgia Certified Communities Program requiring participating cities and counties to host a workshop and form a local advisory board.
• Authorizes the Department of Economic Development to adopt rules and regulations for the office, subject to funding approved by the General Assembly.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with the new article.

Georgia's music industry professionals and businesses, the Department of Economic Development and its new office director, and local city and county governments that choose to seek Music Friendly Georgia certification and form advisory boards.

If enacted, Georgia would gain a dedicated state office focused on attracting music businesses, publicizing festivals, and helping local communities build music-related economic development programs, though funding for the office's rules and activities depends on future legislative appropriations.

• Section 1 names the measure the 'Georgia Music Office and Music Ready Communities Act.'
• Section 2 adds Article 11 to Chapter 7 of Title 50, defining terms like 'coordinate,' 'implementation,' and 'marketing' used throughout the new office's duties (O.C.G.A. § 50-7-130).
• Section 2 establishes the Georgia Music Office and requires the commissioner to appoint a director with music industry experience (O.C.G.A. § 50-7-131).
• The office's duties include serving as a business promotion clearinghouse, liaising with government agencies, publicizing music events, and marketing the state's music heritage.
• The office must create a Music Friendly Georgia Certified Communities Program requiring local workshops and advisory boards for participating cities and counties.
• The department's rulemaking authority is contingent on appropriations from the General Assembly (O.C.G.A. § 50-7-132).
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-12Veto V1
2. 2026-05-12House Date Vetoed by Governor (House)
3. 2026-04-10House Sent to Governor (House)
4. 2026-03-31House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
5. 2025-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
6. 2025-04-02Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2025-03-31Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
8. 2025-03-28Senate Recommitted (Senate)

• Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-004)Primary sponsor
• Steve Tarvin (R, HD-002)
• Omari Crawford (D, HD-089)
• Tim Fleming (R, HD-114)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 26, 2025

   157 yea, 4 nay (6 not voting, 13 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #89

2. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2025

   47 yea, 9 nay

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #401

3. PassedHouse voteMarch 31, 2026

   161 yea, 5 nay (5 not voting, 5 absent)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #797

• state government agencies
• music industry
• economic development
• local government programs