HB1174: HB1174 Federal Workforce Stability and Reemployment Priority Act; enact

26 LC 46 1329 House Bill 1174 By: Representatives Draper of the 90th, Park of the 107th, Roberts of the 52nd, Crawford of the 89th, and Oliver of the 84th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 1 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 general provisions regarding labor and industrial relations, so as to provide retraining and2 other support for displaced federal employees; to provide for a definition; to provide for3 coordination between the Georgia Department of Labor and the Technical College System4 of Georgia and the University System of Georgia; to provide for tuition assistance; to provide5 for certain expedited procedures; to provide for coordination b etween the Georgia6 Department of Labor and federal agencies; to amend Chapter 2 of Title 45 of the Official7 Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to eligibility and qualific ations for office, so as to8 provide for the modification of certain hiring procedures for c ertain displaced federal9 employees; to provide for reporting; to provide for a definitio n; to provide for related10 matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislati ve findings; to provide for an11 effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.12 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:13 SECTION 1.14 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Federal Workfo rce Stability and15 Reemployment Priority Act."16 H. B. 1174 - 1 - 26 LC 46 1329 SECTION 2.17 The General Assembly finds that:18 (1) Georgia's economy is significantly affected by the presenc e of federal workers in19 defense, logistics, aviation, public health, and other fields;20 (2) Federal government shutdowns, furloughs, and workforce reductions create immediate21 economic hardship for affected families and communities;22 (3) Ensuring rapid reemployment opportunities and retraining access for displaced federal23 employees strengthens Georgia's workforce and provides economic stability; 24 (4) The state should modify hiring procedures for eligible fed eral employees and offer25 career transition support to eligible federal employees to keep skilled workers in Georgia's26 labor market; and27 (5) Georgia law creates certain state agency hiring preference s for veterans and should28 similarly provide preferences for displaced federal workers, except as otherwise required29 by federal law or court order.30 SECTION 3.31 Chapter 1 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated , relating to general32 provisions regarding labor and industrial relations, is amended by adding a new Code section33 to read as follows: 34 "34-1-11.35 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'displaced federal employee' means an individual36 who:37 (1) Was employed by a federal agency with offices located in this state; and38 (2) Lost employment due to a federal shutdown, furlough exceed ing 30 consecutive39 days, elimination of position, base realignment, or workforce reduction.40 (b) The Georgia Department of Labor shall coordinate with the Technical College System41 of Georgia and the University System of Georgia to:42 H. B. 1174 - 2 - 26 LC 46 1329 (1) Provide displaced federal employees with priority access t o retraining programs,43 certificates that reflect the acquisition of new work skills, a nd other career transition44 services;45 (2) Waive, reduce, or subsidize tuition or program costs where determined permissible46 by the Georgia Department of Labor and financially feasible by the Technical College47 System of Georgia or the University System of Georgia, respecti vely, for displaced48 federal employees; and49 (3) Establish expedited intake and counseling procedures for such individuals.50 (c) The Georgia Department of Labor may enter into agreements with federal agencies to51 verify eligibility and share transition support data."52 SECTION 4.53 Chapter 2 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to eligibility and54 qualifications for office, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows:55 "ARTICLE 456 45-2-50.57 As used in this article, the term 'displaced federal employee' means an individual who:58 (1) Was employed by a federal agency with offices located in this state; and59 (2) Lost employment due to a federal shutdown, furlough exceed ing 30 consecutive60 days, elimination of position, base realignment, or workforce reduction.61 45-2-50.62 (a) State agencies shall modify hiring procedures so as to interview all qualified displaced63 federal employees who meet the minimum job requirements for a posted position unless64 the agency documents a legally valid operational reason for not doing so.65 H. B. 1174 - 3 - 26 LC 46 1329 (b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section shall not supersede any federal66 or court ordered employment requirements.67 45-2-52.68 (a) Each state agency shall annually report to the Department of Administrative Services69 the number of displaced federal employees who:70 (1) Applied for positions within state agencies;71 (2) Interviewed for a position within a state agency; and72 (3) Were hired for a position within a state agency.73 (b) The report provided for in subsection (a) of this Code sec tion shall be filed with the74 Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House of Repr esentatives by75 January 10, 2027, and each January 10 thereafter."76 SECTION 5.77 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026.78 SECTION 6.79 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.80 H. B. 1174 - 4 -