Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is pushing a bill in Georgia to cut government regulations, calling it a state-level version of the federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
This “Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025” aims to make state agencies review their rules every four years, measure the economic impact of new regulations, and reduce paperwork for small businesses.
The bill passed the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism with a 7-4 vote, moving it to the Senate Rules Committee.
Bill Seeks to Ease Burden on Small Businesses
Sponsored by Republican Sen. Greg Dolezal, the bill would require state agencies to justify their rules and evaluate the impact of regulations costing more than $1 million in the first five years.
The goal is to reduce the compliance burden on small businesses, which make up 85% of Georgia’s workforce.
Under the new rules, businesses with up to 300 employees would be considered small, up from the current 100-employee limit.
Opposition from Democrats Over Broad Powers
Democrats opposed the bill, arguing it gives too much power to the legislative branch. They also expressed concerns about the cost and necessity of reviewing rules every four years.
Critics, including Sen. Emanuel Jones, worry the bill could lead to agency cuts and give the Legislature too much control over rulemaking.
Environmental groups like the Sierra Club are also concerned about potential impacts on regulations, such as those enforcing the Clean Water Act.
Economic Impact and Legislative Control
The bill allows the General Assembly to request an analysis of how proposed regulations would affect small businesses. It also lets legislative committees challenge rules even when not in session.
Sen. Dolezal argued that this increased oversight would prevent overregulation, helping business owners focus on growth rather than compliance.
However, some lawmakers worry that the $1 million threshold for economic impact reports is too low.
Supporters Argue for Business-Friendly Changes
Supporters, including Lt. Gov. Jones, argue that the bill will boost Georgia’s economy by reducing red tape.
They see it as an extension of last year’s efforts to cut licensing requirements for jobs like cosmetology and engineering.
Proponents believe that reducing regulatory burdens will help small businesses thrive. GOP Sen. Brandon Beach emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses, which he called the backbone of Georgia’s economy.
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Inspired by the Federal DOGE Initiative
Lt. Gov. Jones has compared the bill to the federal DOGE initiative, which aims to reduce wasteful spending and cut red tape.
DOGE was created under President Donald Trump and led by Elon Musk, though some of its cuts have faced criticism.
Jones believes the state-level version will streamline government operations without compromising essential services.
Next Steps for the Red Tape Rollback Act
The bill now moves to the Senate Rules Committee. If it becomes law, dozens of state agencies will need to review their rules every four years unless they cut at least 10% of existing regulations.
Lawmakers would also have the power to intervene in rulemaking, giving them more control over the regulatory process.
As the debate continues, Georgia’s business community and state agencies are watching closely to see how the changes might impact them.
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