Georgia CommonsHB 14: State symbols; cornbread as official state bread; designate
Last action May 12, 2026 · Veto V1
A Georgia House bill would create a new Georgia Music Office inside the Department of Economic Development to promote the state's music industry and certify "Music Friendly" cities and counties.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This bill, called the "Georgia Music Office and Music Ready Communities Act," adds a new article to Georgia's state government code (O.C.G.A. Title 50, Chapter 7) creating the Georgia Music Office within the Department of Economic Development. The office would be led by a director chosen by the commissioner of economic development, who must have at least five years of experience in the music industry. The office's job would be to promote Georgia's music industry, help music businesses relocate to the state, connect music professionals with government agencies on things like workforce development and tourism, and publicize music festivals and events. The bill also creates a "Music Friendly Georgia Certified Communities Program," under which cities and counties can get certified after hosting a workshop, forming a local advisory board, and appointing a liaison to the office. The department can adopt rules to carry out the act, subject to money the General Assembly provides.
What the bill does
- Creates the Georgia Music Office inside the Department of Economic Development to support and promote 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 business promotion and information hub connecting music professionals with resources, contacts, and government agencies.
- Establishes a Music Friendly Georgia Certified Communities Program requiring cities and counties to hold a workshop, form a local advisory board, and appoint a liaison to get certified.
- Authorizes the Department of Economic Development to write rules to carry out the act, but only subject to funding approved by the General Assembly.
Who it affects
The Department of Economic Development and its new Georgia Music Office, musicians and music industry professionals, and city and county governments that seek certification under the Music Friendly Georgia program are directly affected by this bill.
Why it matters
If enacted, Georgia would have a dedicated state office working to attract music businesses, promote local musicians, and help communities brand themselves as music friendly, potentially affecting local economic development efforts and access to state promotional resources for the music industry.
Key provisions
- Section 50-7-130 defines key terms including 'commissioner,' 'director,' 'office,' 'coordinate,' 'implementation,' and 'marketing' for use throughout the new article.
- Section 50-7-131(a)-(b) establishes the Georgia Music Office and requires the commissioner to select a director with music industry expertise and appoint supporting staff.
- Section 50-7-131(c) lists nine duties for the office, including promoting the music industry, serving as a liaison to other government agencies, and publicizing music heritage and events.
- Section 50-7-131(c)(9) creates the Music Friendly Georgia Certified Communities Program, requiring participating cities and counties to host a workshop, form an advisory board, and appoint a liaison.
- Section 50-7-131(d) places the office administratively within the Department of Economic Development under existing Code Section 50-4-3.
- Section 50-7-132 makes the department's rulemaking authority contingent on funding from the General Assembly and lets it delegate marketing powers to the office.
From the bill
“There is established the Georgia Music Office to facilitate the growth of Georgia's music industry in communities across this state through state-wide support, promotion, and cultivation of Georgia's rich music heritage, musicians, and vibrant music industry.”
“Each city and county seeking such certification shall be required to host a Music Friendly Georgia workshop to educate local leaders and stakeholders on the office's functions.”
Status timeline
- Veto V1
- House Date Vetoed by Governor (House)
- House Sent to Governor (House)
- House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
- Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
- Senate Third Read (Senate)
- Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
- Senate Recommitted (Senate)
Show full history (17 actions)
- Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
- Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
- Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- House Passed/Adopted (House)
- House Third Readers (House)
- House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-004)
- Steve Tarvin (R, HD-002)
- Omari Crawford (D, HD-089)
- Tim Fleming (R, HD-114)
- Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
Votes
- House voteFebruary 26, 2025
157 yea, 4 nay (6 not voting, 13 absent)
- Senate voteApril 2, 2025
47 yea, 9 nay
- House voteMarch 31, 2026
161 yea, 5 nay (5 not voting, 5 absent)
Topics
- Georgia music industry
- economic development
- state government agencies
- local government certification