Rep. Matt Reeves Applauds Final Passage of Regulatory Reform Bills

ATLANTA - State Representative Matt Reeves (R-Duluth) applauds the final passage of House Bills 1247 and 1254 during the 2026 legislative session, which seek to make reforms to regulatory systems within the state.

"Strong regulatory reform legislation this year ensures that Georgia state government is working for the people of Georgia, rather than the other way around," said Rep. Reeves.

House Bill 1247 would create the Georgia Bureaucratic Deference Elimination Act and would enact mandatory periodic reviews of agency regulations every five years, aiming to eliminate burdensome state agency regulations. Rep. Reeves notes that a similar initiative in Virginia reduced regulations by 25 percent and saved the state approximately $1 billion. He further notes that HB 1247 would also codify Georgia courts' "nondelegation doctrine," which is similar to the federal Chevron doctrine, which provides 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, in conjunction with aid to the homeless leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and other upcoming events in Atlanta.

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 professional licensing of geologists, auctioneers, hearing aid dispensers and cemeterians. Both bills were carried in the Senate by Senator Bo Hatchett.

*Editor's note: Rep. Reeves' headshot is included.

Representative Matt Reeves represents the citizens of District 99 which includes a portion of Gwinnett County. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and as Secretary of the Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Insurance committees.

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