---
title: HB 14. State symbols; cornbread as official state bread; designate
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb14
cite_as: HB 14, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb14
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb14.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb14/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69294
date: 2026-05-12
status: vetoed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 1270
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb14.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 14
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2026-05-12
last_action: Veto V1
sponsors:
- Kasey Carpenter
- Steve Tarvin
- Omari Crawford
- Tim Fleming
- Bill Cowsert
text_version: Enrolled
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB14/2025
upstream_id: 1916713
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- Georgia music industry
- economic development
- state government agencies
- local government certification
---
# HB 14. State symbols; cornbread as official state bread; designate
## Text
House Bill 14 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Carpenter of the 4th, Tarvin of the 2nd, Crawford of the 89th, and Fleming
of the 114th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government,
so as to enact the "Georgia Music Office and Music Ready Communities Act"; to create the
Georgia Music Office; to provide for administration of the office; to provide for duties of the
office; to provide for the adoption and promulgation of rules and regulations; to provide for
an appropriations contingency; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Music Office and Music Ready
Communities Act."
SECTION 2.
Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state government, is amended
in Chapter 7, relating to the Department of Economic Development, by adding a new article
to read as follows:
"ARTICLE 11
50-7-130.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) 'Commissioner' means the commissioner of economic development.
(2) 'Coordinate' means to issue rules, policies, standards, definitions, specifications, and
other guidance.
(3) 'Department' means the Department of Economic Development.
(4) 'Director' means the director of the office.
(5) 'Implementation' means planning, writing, drafting, designing, studying, and
conducting market analysis; soliciting and accepting gifts, contributions, and cooperation;
contracting, procurement, retention of consultants, and outsourcing; and other activities
within the ordinary meaning of the term in this context.
(6) 'Marketing' means promoting, advertising, public relations, press relations, and
branding; creation, use, and licensing of trademark, copyright, and other intellectual
property; and other activities of a similar nature or within the term as it is commonly
understood.
(7) 'Office' means the Georgia Music Office.
50-7-131.
(a) 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.
(b) The commissioner shall select a director to lead the office. In selecting the director,
consideration shall be given to individuals who possess extensive knowledge of the many
aspects of the music industry, including, but not limited to, live touring, recording, and
distribution, and who possess at least five years of experience in the music industry. The
commissioner shall appoint personnel within the department to administer functions of the
office.
(c) The office shall:
(1) Promote the growing production of music in this state, the enjoyment and
appreciation of the Georgia music industry, and the benefits of visiting and viewing the
diverse music productions in this state;
(2) Serve as a music business promotion office and information clearing-house for the
Georgia music industry through the implementation of a strategic business development
plan to help music industry professionals and businesses relocate to this state by
providing resources and acting as a conduit for music related economic and community
development;
(3) Coordinate and market specific programs and initiatives to attract music industry
professionals and to foster the economic and community development of Georgia music
businesses and musicians;
(4) Assist in growing Georgia's music industry by providing music industry professionals
with production contacts in this state; suggesting possible performing, publishing, and
recording locations; and other activities as may be required to promote this state as a
national music center;
(5) Serve as a liaison between music businesses and governmental offices and agencies,
including workforce development, education, and tourism;
(6) Publicize significant developments within the industry;
(7) Develop and market listings of music festivals, productions, and other music events
being held throughout this state;
(8) Publicize and market this state's music heritage and culture; and
(9) Establish a Music Friendly Georgia Certified Communities Program. 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. Upon being
certified, such cities and counties shall form an advisory board of local music industry
stakeholders to promote music related economic development in their communities and
appoint a Music Friendly Georgia Certified Liaison to liaise with the office.
(d) The office shall be assigned to the department for administrative purposes only, as
prescribed in Code Section 50-4-3.
50-7-132.
(a) Subject to appropriations by the General Assembly or other available funding, the
department is authorized to adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be
necessary to carry out this article.
(b) In its marketing and implementation of marketing for Georgia's music industry, the
department may exercise its powers under Code Sections 50-7-10, 50-7-11, and 50-7-11.1,
and may authorize and delegate to the office all or part of such powers for its own
implementation."
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
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.
### Plain-language summary
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 it 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.
## Status
- Status: Vetoed (2026-05-12)
- Last action: Veto V1 (2026-05-12)
- Sponsors: Kasey Carpenter, Steve Tarvin, Omari Crawford, Tim Fleming, Bill Cowsert
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69294
> The history, votes, and amendments (1,270 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb14.md?full=1