HB 74: Georgia Lottery for Education Act; correct a reference; provisions

The Georgia Lottery for Education Act (O.C.G.A. Chapter 27 of Title 50) generally lets the Georgia Lottery Corporation write its own rules and policies without following the state's standard rulemaking process, known as the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act (O.C.G.A. Chapter 13 of Title 50). This bill narrows that exemption for one specific area: Article 3 of the lottery law, which covers bona fide coin operated amusement machines (the machines found in convenience stores, bars, and similar businesses). Under the bill, any licensing rules, regulations, policies, or procedures the Corporation adopts for these amusement machines, along with administrative hearings tied to that article, must now follow the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act's formal process, unless another law says otherwise. Hearings held under a separate arbitration provision, Code Section 50-27-102, still follow the Georgia Arbitration Code instead. All other lottery matters outside Article 3 remain exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• Revises O.C.G.A. § 50-27-9(a)(19) to require that licensing rules and procedures for bona fide coin operated amusement machines follow the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.
• Requires administrative hearings related to Article 3 (coin operated amusement machines) to follow the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, unless another law specifically provides otherwise.
• Keeps hearings held under Code Section 50-27-102 governed by the Georgia Arbitration Code rather than the Administrative Procedure Act.
• Preserves the existing exemption from the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act for the Georgia Lottery Corporation's other regulations, policies, and procedures unrelated to Article 3.
• Sets the effective date as the date the Governor signs the bill or it otherwise becomes law without signature.

The Georgia Lottery Corporation, which must follow more formal rulemaking and hearing procedures for coin operated amusement machine licensing; businesses that own or host these machines, such as convenience stores and bars; and licensees involved in disputes or licensing decisions under Article 3 of the lottery law.

Businesses and individuals seeking or holding licenses for coin operated amusement machines would gain access to the more structured, legally defined process of the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act for rule changes and hearings, rather than procedures set entirely at the Lottery Corporation's discretion, potentially affecting how licensing disputes are resolved.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 50-27-9(a)(19), which lists the general powers of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, including its authority to adopt regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Section 1 specifies that promulgation of licensure forms, rules, regulations, policies, or procedures under Article 3 (coin operated amusement machines) must follow the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act (O.C.G.A. Chapter 13 of Title 50).
• Section 1 extends the same Administrative Procedure Act requirement to administrative hearings regarding Article 3, except where other law specifically provides differently.
• Section 1 retains an exception for hearings held under Code Section 50-27-102, which remain governed by the Georgia Arbitration Code.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as approval by the Governor or the date the bill becomes law without the Governor's signature.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-09Effective Date
2. 2025-05-09Act 76
3. 2025-05-09House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-31Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2025-03-18Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2025-03-13Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Alan Powell (R, HD-33)Primary sponsor
• Dale Washburn (R, HD-144)
• Rick Jasperse (R, HD-11)
• David Wilkerson (D, HD-38)
• Mary Margaret Oliver (D, HD-84)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-99)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-45)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 13, 2025

   169 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 8 excused)

   PASSAGE: House Vote #34

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2025

   51 yea, 0 nay (2 not voting, 3 excused)

   PASSAGE: Senate Vote #352

• Georgia Lottery Corporation
• coin operated amusement machines
• administrative procedure
• business licensing