HB353: HB353 Georgia Music Office and Music Ready Communities Act; enact

Georgia currently has no dedicated state office focused on growing the music industry the way it has offices for film and tourism. This bill, called the Georgia Music Office and Music Ready Communities Act, would add a new article to Georgia law creating that office inside the Department of Community Affairs. The commissioner of community affairs would appoint a director with at least five years of music industry experience to lead the office. The office would promote Georgia's music industry, help recruit music businesses and professionals to relocate here, act as a liaison between music businesses and government agencies, publicize music events and heritage, and certify cities and counties as 'Music Friendly Georgia Certified Communities.' Those certified communities would have to host a workshop and form a local advisory board. The department could adopt rules to carry out the program, but its work is subject to funding approved by the General Assembly.

• Creates the Georgia Music Office within the Department of Community Affairs to support and promote the state's music industry.
• Requires the commissioner of community affairs to appoint a director with at least five years of music industry experience to run the office.
• Directs the office to act as a business promotion and information clearinghouse to help music professionals and companies relocate to Georgia.
• Lets the office certify cities and counties as 'Music Friendly Georgia Certified Communities' if they host a required workshop and form a local advisory board.
• Authorizes the Department of Community Affairs to adopt rules and regulations to carry out the program, but only subject to funding from the General Assembly.

The Department of Community Affairs and its commissioner, a newly appointed office director, Georgia musicians and music businesses, and city and county governments that seek certification as music friendly communities through local workshops and advisory boards.

If enacted, Georgia would have a dedicated state office working to attract music industry jobs and businesses, similar to existing state efforts for film. Local governments could gain a formal certification and support network, though the office's actual work depends on the legislature approving funding.

• Section 1 names the act the 'Georgia Music Office and Music Ready Communities Act.'
• Section 2 adds new Code Section 50-8-310 defining key terms such as 'director,' 'office,' 'marketing,' and 'implementation.'
• Code Section 50-8-311 establishes the Georgia Music Office and lists ten specific duties, including promoting the industry, liaising with government agencies, and certifying communities.
• Code Section 50-8-311 requires certified cities and counties to host a workshop and appoint a Music Friendly Georgia Certified Liaison and advisory board.
• Code Section 50-8-312 authorizes rules and regulations for the office, contingent on appropriations by the General Assembly.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-02-18House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
3. 2025-02-12House Second Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-11House First Readers (House)
5. 2025-02-10House Hopper (House)

• Devan Seabaugh (R, HD-034)Primary sponsor
• Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-004)
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)
• Josh Bonner (R, HD-073)
• Anne Westbrook (D, HD-163)
• Tangie Herring (D, HD-145)

• music industry
• economic development
• Department of Community Affairs
• local government certification
• arts and culture