Secretary of State Press Office
214 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Contact: 470-312-2803
May 9, 2025
Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger hailed the enactment of landmark licensing reform legislation, an effort he and his office have been working on since 2019. Today, House Bill 579 was signed by Governor Brian Kemp, designed to streamline professional licensing and remove bureaucratic barriers for workers across the state. Now signed into law, this legislation underscores Raffensperger’s commitment to fostering economic opportunity and cutting red tape for hardworking Georgians across the state.
“This reform is about getting government out of the way and putting hardworking Georgians back to work,” said Secretary Raffensperger. “By modernizing outdated regulations, we’re unlocking doors for qualified Georgians to contribute to our economy without sacrificing public safety or standards. Georgia is leading the nation in empowering workers, not empowering paperwork and red tape. Let’s get the government out of the way and get our communities back to work.”
The legislation reflects input from Raffensperger’s office, and the efforts Secretary Raffensperger has championed since 2019. Last year, the GA Works Licensing Commission was led by the Secretary, targeting burdensome licensing requirements that have historically delayed or deterred professionals in fields such as healthcare, cosmetology, and skilled trades from entering the workforce.
Key provisions of HB579 include allowing administrative issuance of licenses for all Professional Licensing Boards including license applications, renewals, and reinstatements directly - bypassing lengthy board review processes for qualified applicants. The legislation also provides temporary licenses for qualified applications, extends the grace period for expired licenses, and allows the Governor to remove board members that aren’t up to the challenge.
Secretary Raffensperger praised Governor Kemp and state legislators for their partnership, stating, “This victory proves that when we prioritize Georgians over gridlock, we can achieve meaningful change. I’m proud to have worked alongside leaders who share my vision of a smarter, more responsive government.”
These reforms will bolster Georgia’s workforce participation rate, accelerate small business growth, and attract talent to meet the demands of the state’s booming economy.
“Hard working Georgians deserve the government out of their way,” Raffensperger added. “By cutting bureaucracy, we’re not just opening jobs—we’re opening pathways to the American Dream.”
