All Roll Calls
Yes: 211 • No: 2
GeorgiaHB 5792025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Professions and businesses; licensure to engage in trade; provisions
Sponsored By: Sandy Donatucci (Republican), Tim Fleming (Republican), Matt Hatchett (Republican), Brian Prince (Democrat), Matt Reeves (Republican), Marcus Wiedower (Republican)
Became Law
AppropriationsRegulated Industries and UtilitiesGeneral Bill
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Faster licensing, exams, and renewals for workers
Beginning July 1, 2026, the state licensing director can issue, renew, or reinstate your license when your application shows you meet all rules. If the director cannot confirm, your board reviews the application and keeps final say. The director sets exam dates and places and can approve you to sit for an exam when all other requirements are met. The director can confirm schooling without official transcripts. Licenses can run up to two years, and you can renew up to 45 days after expiration if you meet requirements and pay fees.
Public list of licensees and privacy protections
Beginning July 1, 2026, the state posts a public list of current licensees and public cease-and-desist orders. Home addresses do not appear, and people who miss renewal by 45 days or less are not listed. Printed copies cost only the printing and mailing cost. Applications, personal references, exam questions, and board deliberations stay confidential unless the board agrees to share them.
New state office runs professional licensing
Beginning July 1, 2026, a new Professional Licensing Boards Division in the Secretary of State’s Office handles licensing. The Secretary appoints a director, sets the director’s pay, and the director can name deputies and executive directors. These leaders are in unclassified service and can act for the director. The Secretary can hire staff and approve contracts to support licensing work.
Board meetings, pay, and oversight changes
Beginning July 1, 2026, board meetings can be held at the capitol, the board office, or other approved sites. The division director must keep a public meeting schedule. Board members can get expense allowances, mileage or travel costs, and registration fees with required approvals. A majority of appointed members makes a quorum, and members serve until successors qualify. The Governor can remove members for cause after notice and a hearing.
Shared budget and fee rules for licensing
Beginning July 1, 2026, the licensing division and the boards it serves operate in one common budget unit. The division director collects required fees and may keep collection fees to cover collection costs, but must follow state budget rules and send any constitutionally required money to the state treasury.
Transition rules and July 2026 start date
The law takes effect July 1, 2026. Past actions by the former joint-secretary before July 1, 2000, stand as actions of the new division director. Existing contracts, rights, and duties stay in place. Any laws that conflict with this Act are repealed.
Counseling specialty committees are repealed
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law repeals the statute that created specialty standards committees for professional counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy. Standards for these fields no longer run through those committees.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Sandy Donatucci
Republican • House
Tim Fleming
Republican • House
Matt Hatchett
Republican • House
Brian Prince
Democrat • House
Matt Reeves
Republican • House
Marcus Wiedower
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Larry Walker
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/27/2025
PASSAGE
Yes: 53 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2025
PASSAGE
Yes: 158 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Effective Date
7/1/2026House Date Signed by Governor
5/9/2025HouseAct 89
5/9/2025House Sent to Governor
4/10/2025HouseSenate Third Read
3/27/2025SenateSenate Passed/Adopted
3/27/2025SenateSenate Read Second Time
3/21/2025SenateSenate Committee Favorably Reported
3/20/2025SenateSenate Read and Referred
3/10/2025SenateHouse Third Readers
3/6/2025HouseHouse Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/6/2025HouseHouse Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/27/2025HouseHouse Second Readers
2/26/2025HouseHouse First Readers
2/24/2025HouseHouse Hopper
2/21/2025House
Bill Text
HB 579/AP* (v8)
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