---
title: O.C.G.A. § 50-4-1. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 50-4-1
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 50-4-1 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/50-4-1
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/50-4-1.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/50-4-1/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t49-t50-ch1-12-(v38)-2023-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=60c992b5_0#page=513
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
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current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: STATE GOVERNMENT / ORGANIZATION OF EXECUTIVE BRANCH GENERALLY
---

# O.C.G.A. § 50-4-1. Definitions.

Unless otherwise required by context, as used in this Code when related to the executive branch of state government, the term:

(1) “Administrative” means those functions related to the specific implementation of general policies.

(2) “Agency” means any officer, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or agency in the executive branch of state government.

(3) “Constitution” means the Constitution of Georgia.

(4) “Department” means a principal, functional, and administrative entity and its divisions within the executive branch of state government provided for by the “Executive Reorganization Act of 1972” or by any subsequent enactment except when used in connection with the name of an agency existing before July 1, 1972.

(5) “Department head” means a director, commission, board, commissioner, or constitutional officer or such other official in charge of a department.

(6) “Function” means a duty, power, or program exercised by or assigned to an agency, whether or not specifically provided for by law, including budgeted positions and personnel relating to the performance of such function unless otherwise provided.

(7) “Policy” or “policy making” means those functions related to establishing the general direction which programs of an agency shall take.

(8) “Unit” means an internal subdivision of an agency, created by statute or by administrative action, including a division, bureau, section, or department or an agency assigned to a department for administrative purposes only as provided in Code Section 50-4-3.

## History

Ga. L. 1972, p. 1015, § 1C; Ga. L. 1983, p. 3, § 66.