HB 1174: Federal Workforce Stability and Reemployment Priority Act; enact

This bill responds to the effect federal shutdowns, furloughs, and workforce reductions can have on federal employees living and working in Georgia. It defines a 'displaced federal employee' as someone who worked for a federal agency with offices in Georgia and lost that job due to a shutdown, a furlough lasting more than 30 days, position elimination, base realignment, or workforce reduction. For these workers, the bill directs the Georgia Department of Labor to coordinate with the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System of Georgia on priority access to retraining, possible tuition waivers or subsidies, and faster intake and counseling. Separately, it requires state agencies to interview qualified displaced federal employees who meet minimum job requirements for open positions, unless the agency documents a legally valid operational reason not to, and this does not override federal or court-ordered hiring rules. State agencies must report hiring data on these workers each year starting January 10, 2027. The law would take effect July 1, 2026.

• Creates a legal definition of 'displaced federal employee' covering those who lose federal jobs in Georgia to shutdowns, long furloughs, position cuts, base realignment, or workforce reduction.
• Directs the Georgia Department of Labor to work with the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System of Georgia on priority retraining, tuition help, and faster intake for these workers.
• Allows the Department of Labor to make data-sharing agreements with federal agencies to verify who qualifies as a displaced federal employee.
• Requires state agencies to interview all qualified displaced federal employees for open positions unless they document a valid operational reason not to, without overriding federal or court hiring rules.
• Requires each state agency to report yearly to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and House Speaker on how many displaced federal employees applied, interviewed, and were hired.
• Sets the law to take effect July 1, 2026.

Federal employees in Georgia who lose their jobs to shutdowns, long furloughs, or workforce cuts; the Georgia Department of Labor; the Technical College System of Georgia and University System of Georgia; and Georgia state agencies, which must adjust hiring and reporting practices for these workers.

Federal workers who lose their jobs in Georgia would get faster access to retraining, possible tuition breaks, and a guaranteed interview for qualifying state jobs, which could speed up their return to work and soften the economic hit to their families and communities.

• Section 1 names the bill the 'Federal Workforce Stability and Reemployment Priority Act.'
• Section 2 states legislative findings about the economic impact of federal workforce disruptions on Georgia.
• Section 3 adds O.C.G.A. § 34-1-11, defining 'displaced federal employee' and requiring Department of Labor coordination with technical colleges and universities on retraining, tuition relief, and expedited services.
• Section 4 adds a new Article 4 to Title 45, requiring state agencies to interview qualified displaced federal employees absent a documented operational reason, with a carve-out for federal or court-ordered requirements.
• Section 4 also creates O.C.G.A. § 45-2-52, requiring annual reports on applications, interviews, and hires of displaced federal employees, due each January 10 starting in 2027.
• Section 5 sets the effective date as July 1, 2026.

1. 2026-02-05House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-03House Hopper (House)

• Saira Draper (D, HD-090)Primary sponsor
• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)
• Shea Roberts (D, HD-052)
• Omari Crawford (D, HD-089)
• Mary Oliver (D, HD-084)

• federal workforce
• job retraining
• state hiring preferences
• workforce development
• government shutdown