Bill > HB7

This bill introduces a tax credit program designed to incentivize workforce-ready graduates to work in high-tech jobs in rural Georgia counties. The bill defines specific terms like "rural county" (a county with less than 50,000 people and over 10% living in poverty), "high-tech full-time job" (technology-related positions in rural small businesses with at least 30 hours per week and paying at or above the state's lowest county average wage), and "workforce-ready graduate" (individuals with postsecondary credentials in engineering or computer/data science who complete a workforce readiness program). Starting January 1, 2026, eligible graduates who work in qualifying high-tech jobs for at least 40 weeks in a 12-month period can receive a $4,000 annual income tax credit, with a lifetime maximum of $12,000. The Department of Labor is required to establish certification criteria for workforce readiness programs by January 1, 2026, and the tax credit cannot exceed the taxpayer's income tax liability, with unused credits able to be carried forward for up to three years. The bill aims to encourage technology professionals to work in rural areas by providing a financial incentive for doing so.

Budget and Finance

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69287