LEGISLATIVE
Peach State Progress: A Timeline of Victories
WINS
Here’s how Georgians like you have changed the game.
We believe in bottom-up change—and our movement has the wins to prove it. Check out some of our biggest policy victories and grassroots moments:
2022
22
Free Speech Legislation (HB 1, FORUM Act)
Designed to protect free expression on college campuses by eliminating speech zones, ensuring clear free speech policies, and educating both students and administrators about rights and responsibilities.
Food Truck Permit Reform (HB 1443)
Streamlined the red tape surrounding food truck operations by reducing duplicative fees and simplifying permitting requirements.
24
2023-2024
HB 1339 – Certificate of Need (CON) Reform
Lifted barriers to opening hospitals in rural areas, substance abuse/psychiatric facilities, freestanding birth centers, and previously closed hospitals.
SB 233 – Georgia Promise Scholarship Act
Created an education freedom program offering $6,500 scholarships for students to choose schools that best fit their needs.
SB 354 – Occupational Licensing Reform
Exempted services like blow-dry styling and makeup application from licensure requirements.
HB 51:
Freed local school boards to use the method of transportation necessary to transport students
SB 362:
Required that any business receiving state incentives must protect the rights of their workers to have a secret ballot for a unionization vote
SB 414:
Ensured that no state agency may publicize the private information of donors who contribute to nonprofit organizations
26
25
2025
HB 398
Deregulated “cottage food” producers enabling them to sell goods to third parties without burdensome licensure, removing government barriers for cottage food entrepreneurs
2026
HB 987
This bill allows for the creation of Voluntary Portable Benefits Accounts for independent contractors. These workers do not have access to traditional benefits like W2 employees, so this bill allows businesses to voluntarily contribute to these accounts, and workers could spend from those accounts as they see fit — on health care expenses, insurance, or retirement savings. All of this can be done now without putting at risk their status as an independent contractor. This is an innovating reform to ensure our workforce remains dynamic and beneficial for both businesses and workers.
HB 1247
The Bureaucratic Deference Elimination Act may be the most important regulatory reform bill in Georgia this century. Firstly, it does what the title says, in the wake of the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Chevron Deference at the federal level, this bill repeals judicial deference at the state level. It is a big win for the separation of powers and constitutionally limited government.
Furthermore, this bill includes regulatory reforms that will bring more transparency and accountability to our state agencies. Firstly, when agencies propose new rules, they must consider the economic impact of the rule on the regulated community. This is really important change to help prevent regulatory overreach that can harm businesses and the economy.
Secondly, every five years, agencies must do an internal review of all of the rules they have on the books. In this analysis, agencies will consider the impact, cost, and effectiveness of their rules. In collaboration with lawmakers and the public, the goal is to ensure that any outdated rule or rule that is a net negative, will be repealed.