GRA State of the Session: February 16, 2026
Date postedFebruary 16, 2026
February 16, 2026
NOTEWORTHY.
- Not MySpace. Social media platforms are back in the legislative spotlight as lawmakers examine how teens scroll, share, and interact online. For those of us in the restaurant industry, the focus is making sure our ordering and loyalty apps aren’t swept into a broader tech debate.
- Vroom Vroom. HB 986 cruised through the House last week, complete with a GRA letter of endorsement. This bill lets those trusty little delivery robots scoot through crosswalks a bit faster, helping get food to customers quicker. Now we’ll see if the Senate shares the need for speed.
- Hear Ye, Hear Ye. Lemon pepper wings have dominated headlines, thanks to HB 1013, which would crown lemon pepper the official wing flavor of Georgia. So far, most of the buzz has come from the media, but that changes this week when the bill gets its first hearing and lawmakers weigh in on this saucy debate.
BILLS WE'RE TRACKING.
HB 117 – “The Shrimp Bill”
Would require restaurants to disclose whether shrimp served is imported.
Why it matters: Adds new menu and disclosure requirements for operators, impacting costs,
sourcing conversations, and compliance.
HB 163
Would require special menu labeling for plant-based alternatives and lab-grown meat.
Why it matters: Creates additional labeling obligations and could complicate menu design and
updates.
Would require restaurants to disclose whether shrimp served is imported.
Why it matters: Adds new menu and disclosure requirements for operators, impacting costs,
sourcing conversations, and compliance.
HB 163
Would require special menu labeling for plant-based alternatives and lab-grown meat.
Why it matters: Creates additional labeling obligations and could complicate menu design and
updates.
HB 201 / SB 415
Would ban the manufacturing and sale of lab-grown meat in Georgia.
Why it matters: Limits future menu innovation and raises broader questions about how emerging
food products are regulated.
HB 986
Would update operating rules for personal delivery devices (such as autonomous delivery robots), including speed limits, right-of-way requirements, and audible warning signals when approaching pedestrians.
Why it matters: Clarifies how delivery devices can operate on sidewalks, bike lanes, and roadways, helping restaurants that use or may consider using automated delivery avoid safety and compliance issues.
Would ban the manufacturing and sale of lab-grown meat in Georgia.
Why it matters: Limits future menu innovation and raises broader questions about how emerging
food products are regulated.
HB 986
Would update operating rules for personal delivery devices (such as autonomous delivery robots), including speed limits, right-of-way requirements, and audible warning signals when approaching pedestrians.
Why it matters: Clarifies how delivery devices can operate on sidewalks, bike lanes, and roadways, helping restaurants that use or may consider using automated delivery avoid safety and compliance issues.
HB 1006
Would require restaurants to maintain three doses of an opioid antagonist on site at all times.
Why it matters: Imposes new health, training, and inventory requirements on restaurants that are
not healthcare providers.
Would require restaurants to maintain three doses of an opioid antagonist on site at all times.
Why it matters: Imposes new health, training, and inventory requirements on restaurants that are
not healthcare providers.
HB 1013
Would designate Lemon Pepper as the official wing flavor of Georgia.
Why it matters: Because some things bring people together — and in Georgia, lemon pepper
wings are one of them.
Would designate Lemon Pepper as the official wing flavor of Georgia.
Why it matters: Because some things bring people together — and in Georgia, lemon pepper
wings are one of them.
HB 1014
Would prohibit restaurants and other businesses from selling foods containing certain food dyes.
Why it matters: Could affect ingredients, suppliers, and recipes across a wide range of menu
items.
HB 1112
Would provide guidance for businesses on rounding cash transactions to the nearest five cents.
Why it matters: Offers clarity for operators as cash usage declines and coin circulation remains
inconsistent.
HB 1157
Would repeal Georgia’s current preemption law that prevents local governments from setting their own wage, employment benefit, or employee scheduling mandates, allowing cities and counties to adopt local requirements beyond state or federal law.
Why it matters: Could create a patchwork of local wage, benefit, and scheduling rules across Georgia, increasing compliance complexity and operational challenges for restaurant operators operating in multiple jurisdictions.
Would prohibit restaurants and other businesses from selling foods containing certain food dyes.
Why it matters: Could affect ingredients, suppliers, and recipes across a wide range of menu
items.
HB 1112
Would provide guidance for businesses on rounding cash transactions to the nearest five cents.
Why it matters: Offers clarity for operators as cash usage declines and coin circulation remains
inconsistent.
HB 1157
Would repeal Georgia’s current preemption law that prevents local governments from setting their own wage, employment benefit, or employee scheduling mandates, allowing cities and counties to adopt local requirements beyond state or federal law.
Why it matters: Could create a patchwork of local wage, benefit, and scheduling rules across Georgia, increasing compliance complexity and operational challenges for restaurant operators operating in multiple jurisdictions.
HB 1237
Would enact the “Pollution Prevention and Producer Responsibility Act of 2026,” creating a statewide extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging, paper products, and beverage containers, including a 10¢ beverage container deposit system and new producer-funded recycling and reuse requirements
Would enact the “Pollution Prevention and Producer Responsibility Act of 2026,” creating a statewide extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging, paper products, and beverage containers, including a 10¢ beverage container deposit system and new producer-funded recycling and reuse requirements
Why it matters: Represents a major shift in Georgia’s waste policy—moving costs onto producers, establishing a bottle deposit system, and creating new fees and operational requirements that will ripple through manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and ultimately consumers.
SB 376 – Georgia Restaurant Franchise Relations Act
Addresses franchise-related protections and requirements.
Why it matters: Could significantly affect franchised restaurant operations, contracts, and long-
term business planning.
SB 512 – Consumer Inflation Reduction and Tax Fairness Act
Would prohibit payment card networks from charging interchange fees on the sales tax portion of a credit card transaction.
Why it matters: Reduces the interchange fees restaurants pay when collecting sales tax, keeping more dollars in your business instead of paying fees on money you never keep.