In the final days of the 2026 legislative session, the Georgia House of Representatives passed two new regulatory reform bills – House Bills 1247 and 1254 – to confront burdensome regulation and bureaucratic overreach.
In a statement, Representative Matt Reeves (R-Duluth) applauded the House for taking this initiative. He noted the importance of the State’s role in effectively working for the people of Georgia.
“Strong regulatory reform legislation this year ensures that the Georgia state government is working for the people of Georgia, rather than the other way around,” Rep. Reeves stated.
The Bills
House Bill 1247 would create the Georgia Bureaucratic Deference Elimination Act and mandate periodic reviews of agency regulations every five years, aiming to eliminate burdensome state agency regulations.
Rep. Reeves noted that HB 1247 would also codify Georgia courts’ “nondelegation doctrine,” which is similar to the federal Chevron doctrine.
This doctrine ensures that courts will not defer to state agencies in court proceedings against citizens, placing citizens on equal footing with state agencies in court cases.
HB 1247 would also enact a transparency and accountability provision to release sexual harassment and other employment settlements involving members of the General Assembly, while protecting victims and whistleblowers.
Additionally, the bill includes Majority Leader Chuck Efstration’s (R-Mulberry) initiative to require nonprofits serving the homeless in Atlanta to use the Department of Community Affairs’ Homeless Management Information System. This system is meant to be used in conjunction with aid to the homeless leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and other upcoming events in the City of Atlanta.
On the other hand, House Bill 1254 is a follow-up measure to Rep. Reeves’ 2025 legislation, House Bill 579,which was a large-scale professional licensing overhaul. HB 1254 would streamline the professional licensing of geologists, auctioneers, hearing aid dispensers and cemeterians.
Rep. Matt Reeves Applauds Final Passage of Regulatory Reform Bills. Read more here: https://t.co/y7uI9UojcF #gapol #gahouse
— Georgia House of Representatives (@GaHouseHub) April 6, 2026
