For 11 years, Georgia has been tapped as the No. 1 state in the country to do business. Gov. Brian Kemp announced last year that he now wants Georgia to be recognized as the top state for talent. Monday, surrounded by Speaker Jon Burns and members of the Georgia General Assembly, Kemp signed four pieces of legislation into law that help build the state’s workforce.
Kemp says these bill signings demonstrate his administration’s commitment to strengthening Georgia’s workforce, expanding opportunity, and supporting hardworking students and families across the state.
The bills signed today include HB 192, HB 38, HB 172, and SB 85. Kemp stated that together, these four bills represent targeted investments in Georgia’s talent pipeline and critical updates to the tools and programs already helping Georgians succeed.
“We’re proud Georgia has been recognized as the No. 1 state for business for an unprecedented 11 consecutive years,” said Kemp. “To build on that success, I announced at last year’s Workforce Summit that we would make Georgia not only the best state for business, but the Top State for Talent! Today, I am proud to sign the Top State for Talent Act, further aligning our education pipeline with the knowledge and skills that job creators are looking for.”
Bills signed into law Monday:
Top State for Talent Act (HB 192) – Sponsored by Rep. Matthew Gambill, R-Cartersville, and carried in the Senate by Sen. Drew Echols, R-Gainesville, HB 192 codifies the Georgia MATCH program and reflects the work of the Governor’s Workforce Strategy Team in state law.
College Completion Grant Extension (HB 38) – Sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, and carried in the Senate by Sen. Max Burns, R-Sylvania, HB 38 extends the sunset for the college completion grant program through 2029. The bill also lowers degree completion thresholds, increasing eligibility for students in both the University System of Georgia (USG) and Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). These updates ensure more students can finish their degrees and enter the workforce job ready.
Rural Veterinary Loan Program Update (HB 172) – Sponsored by Rep. David Huddleston, R-Roopville, and carried in the Senate by Sen. Matt Brass, R-Newnan, HB 172 increases the loan purchase amount for veterinarians practicing food animal specialties in a rural part of the state from $80,000 over four years to $90,000 over three years.
Georgia Foster Care Scholarship Program (SB 85) – Sponsored by Sen. Brass. and carried in the House by Rep. Trey Kelley, R-Cedartown, SB 85 establishes the Georgia Foster Care Scholarship Program, which will provide up to $30,000 per year for eligible foster and former foster youth pursuing postsecondary education after all other federal or state grants, scholarships, or tuition waivers are applied.
Kemp has until May 15 to sign or veto legislation.
