Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia ATLANTA,____________________ September 24, 2025 The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order: A26A0208. JAMES HARDAWAY v. BRUCE THOMPSON, COMMISSIONER OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

James Hardaway filed a notice of direct appeal from a superior court order affirming a decision of the Georgia Department of Labor concerning his application for unemployment benefits. Under OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (1), however, a party seeking to appeal a superior court decision reviewing a state agency ruling must follow the discretionary appeal procedure. See Dunlap v. City of Atlanta, 272 Ga. 523, 524 (531 SE2d 702) (2000); Georgia Water Resources, Inc. v. Commissioner of Labor, 193 Ga. App. 252, 252 (387 SE2d 374) (1989). “Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional.” Hair Restoration Specialists v. State, 360 Ga. App. 901, (862 SE2d 564) (2021). Hardaway’s failure to follow the required appellate procedure deprives us of jurisdiction over this appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 09/24/2025 I certify that the above is a true extract from the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia.

Witness my signature and the seal of said court hereto affixed the day and year last above written.

, Clerk.