Maddy summaryHB 579 revises Georgia's licensing laws for professions and businesses, directly affecting licensed professionals (like doctors, therapists, and tradespeople) and the state agencies that oversee their licenses. It updates procedures for license applications, renewals, and board meetings, requires licensing rules to protect public health and safety, and repeals outdated committees for certain counseling boards. The bill also clarifies that licensing board members receive standard state expense allowances and mandates public access to meeting schedules. Signed into law as Act 89, it takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Sponsored bills
A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Social Circle ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) to be imposed within the special district conterminous with Walton County; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements and the provisions of Article 2C of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from Walton County ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) to be imposed within the special district conterminous with Walton County; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements and the provisions of Article 2C of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Madison ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) to be imposed within the special district conterminous with Morgan County; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements and the provisions of Article 2C of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Monroe ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) to be imposed within the special district conterminous with Walton County; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements and the provisions of Article 2C of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from Morgan County ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) to be imposed within the special district conterminous with Morgan County; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements and the provisions of Article 2C of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Walnut Grove ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) to be imposed within the special district conterminous with Walton County; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements and the provisions of Article 2C of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Loganville ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) to be imposed within the special district conterminous with Walton County; to provide for definitions; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements and the provisions of Article 2C of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the O.C.G.A.; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to require semiannual reports from institutions of the University System of Georgia, units of the Technical College System of Georgia, and local school systems and other public schools regarding funding received from foreign sources; to provide requirements for such reports; to provide for such reports to be made publicly available; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-2-86 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to license plates promoting or supporting certain agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations with proceeds disbursed to the general fund and the agency, fund, or nonprofit corporation, so as to establish a specialty license plate honoring public safety officers; to provide for related matters; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.