--- title: HB 353. Georgia Music Office and Music Ready Communities Act; enact collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hb353 cite_as: HB 353, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb353 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb353.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb353/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70115 date: 2025-04-04 status: introduced corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 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. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb352.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb354.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 235 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb353.md?full=1 bill_number: HB 353 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: bill status_date: 2025-02-10 last_action: House Withdrawn, Recommitted sponsors: - Devan Seabaugh - Kasey Carpenter - Ron Stephens - Josh Bonner - Anne Westbrook - Tangie Herring text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB353/2025 upstream_id: 1964477 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - music industry - economic development - Department of Community Affairs - local government certification - arts and culture --- # HB 353. Georgia Music Office and Music Ready Communities Act; enact ## Text 25 LC 59 0074 House Bill 353 By: Representatives Seabaugh of the 34th, Carpenter of the 4th, Stephens of the 164th, Bonner of the 73rd, Westbrook of the 163rd, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 8 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the1 Department of Community Affairs, so as to enact the "Georgia Mu sic Office and Music2 Ready Communities Act"; to provide for definitions; to create the Georgia Music Office; to3 provide for administration of the office; to provide for duties of the office; to provide for the4 adoption and promulgation of rules and regulations; to provide for an appropriations5 contingency; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7 SECTION 1.8 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Music Office and Music Ready9 Communities Act."10 SECTION 2.11 Chapter 8 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department12 of Community Affairs, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows:13 H. B. 353 - 1 - 25 LC 59 0074 "ARTICLE 1414 50-8-310.15 As used in this article, the term:16 (1) 'Commissioner' means the commissioner of community affairs.17 (2) 'Coordinate' means to issue rules, policies, standards, definitions, specifications, and18 other guidance.19 (3) 'Department' means the Department of Community Affairs.20 (4) 'Director' means the director of the office.21 (5) 'Implementation' means planning, writing, drafting, design ing, studying, and22 conducting market analysis; soliciting and accepting gifts, contributions, and cooperation;23 contracting, procurement, retention of consultants, and outsourcing; and other activities24 within the ordinary meaning of the term in this context.25 (6) 'Marketing' means promoting, advertising, public relations , press relations, and26 branding; creation, use, and licensing of trademark, copyright, and other intellectual27 property; and other activities of a similar nature or within th e term as it is commonly28 understood.29 (7) 'Office' means the Georgia Music Office.30 50-8-311.31 (a) There is established the Georgia Music Office to facilitat e the growth of Georgia's32 music industry in communities across this state through state-wide support, promotion, and33 cultivation of Georgia's rich music heritage, musicians, and vibrant music industry.34 (b) The commissioner shall select a director to lead the office. In selecting the director,35 consideration shall be given to individuals who possess extensive knowledge of the many36 aspects of the music industry, including, but not limited to, l ive touring, recording, and37 distribution, and who possess at least five years of experience in the music industry. The38 H. B. 353 - 2 - 25 LC 59 0074 commissioner shall appoint personnel within the department to administer functions of the39 office.40 (c) The office shall:41 (1) Promote the growing production of music in this state, the enjoyment and42 appreciation of the Georgia music industry, and the benefits of visiting and viewing the43 diverse music productions in this state;44 (2) Serve as a music business promotion office and information clearing-house for the45 Georgia music industry through the implementation of a strategic business development46 plan to help music industry professionals and businesses reloca te to this state by47 providing resources and acting as a conduit for music related economic and community48 development;49 (3) Coordinate and market specific programs and initiatives to attract music industry50 professionals and to foster the economic and community development of Georgia music51 businesses and musicians;52 (4) Assist in growing Georgia's music industry by providing music industry professionals53 with production contacts in this state; suggesting possible per forming, publishing, and54 recording locations; and other activities as may be required to promote this state as a55 national music center;56 (5) Serve as a liaison between music businesses and governmental offices and agencies,57 including workforce development, education, and tourism;58 (6) Publicize significant developments within the industry;59 (7) Develop and market listings of music festivals, productions, and other music events60 being held throughout this state;61 (8) Publicize and market this state's music heritage and culture;62 (9) Facilitate the expansion of the music industry in this state; and63 (10) Certify cities and counties as Music Friendly Georgia Certified Communities. Each64 city and county seeking such certification shall be required to host a Music Friendly65 H. B. 353 - 3 - 25 LC 59 0074 Georgia workshop to educate local leaders and stakeholders on t he office's functions. 66 Upon being certified, such cities and counties shall form an advisory board of local music67 industry stakeholders to promote music related economic develop ment in their68 communities and appoint a Music Friendly Georgia Certified Liaison to liaise with the69 office.70 (d) The office shall be assigned to the department for adminis trative purposes only, as71 prescribed in Code Section 50-4-3.72 50-8-312.73 (a) Subject to appropriations by the General Assembly or other available funding, the74 department is authorized to adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be75 necessary to carry out this article.76 (b) In its marketing and implementation of marketing for Georg ia's music industry, the77 department may exercise its powers under paragraphs (2) and (6) of subsection (b) of Code78 Section 50-8-8 and may authorize and delegate to the office all or part of such powers for79 its own implementation."80 SECTION 3.81 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.82 H. B. 353 - 4 - ## 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 state Georgia Music Office inside the Department of Community Affairs to promote the state's music industry and certify local governments as music friendly communities. ### Plain-language summary 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. ### What it does - 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. ### Who it affects 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. ### Why it matters 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. ### Key provisions - 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. ## Status - Status: Introduced (2025-02-10) - Last action: House Withdrawn, Recommitted (2025-04-04) - Sponsors: Devan Seabaugh, Kasey Carpenter, Ron Stephens, Josh Bonner, Anne Westbrook, Tangie Herring - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70115 > The history, votes, and amendments (235 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb353.md?full=1