GRA State of the Session: February 9, 2026
Date postedFebruary 9, 2026
February 9, 2026
NOTEWORTHY.
- Taxes, taxes, taxes. Still the hottest topic under the Gold Dome – and the plot is officially thickening. The Senate passed its own property tax relief plan, while the House politely (but firmly) showed Governor Kemp’s income tax rebate proposal the door, opting instead for a property tax rebate. One thing is certain: Georgia’s tax rates will change. Which ones? By how much? Stay tuned for the legislative cliffhanger.
- Shrimp drama: resolved (sort of). HB 117 finally escaped Senate limbo and passed last Monday after lingering since last session. The bill would require restaurants to disclose whether shrimp is imported. For the record, the GRA did not support this legislation – but the shrimp have officially had their day.
- Menu labeling is so 2026. HB 163, requiring restaurants to label lab-grown meat and plant-based meat alternatives, cleared the Senate Agriculture Committee last week. The good news: a bipartisan amendment axed the plant-based language... for now. Consider it a temporary ceasefire in the great menu wars.
- Super Bowl Sunday. Congratulations to the Seahawks on their Super Bowl win last night. But let’s be honest, the real MVPs were the snacks on the table and the commercials that made us laugh (and maybe tear up).
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.
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.
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.
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.