GRA State of the Session: March 2, 2026
Date postedMarch 2, 2026
March 2, 2026
NOTEWORTHY.
- Finding the Answer on Crossover Day. This week brings one of the biggest milestones of the session: Crossover Day. By week’s end, bills must clear their original chamber to stay in the game. It’s a high-stakes sprint, and not every proposal will make the cut. That said, under the Gold Dome, few ideas ever disappear completely. Amendments have a funny way of popping up when you least expect them, so even “defeated” concepts can find new life before final passage.
- Where Policy Meets the Setlist. Live music plays a huge role in the restaurant industry – from ambient guitars at a coffee shop to bands performing on an outdoor patio on a Friday night. HB 1400, introduced by Rep. Carl Gilliard, seeks to establish guidelines governing agreements between promoters, venues, and performing artists. The bill is still being fine-tuned (pun intended), but depending on how it develops, it could shape how restaurants book and contract with musicians in the future.
- Tipping Point. In recent days, multiple “No Tax on Tips” proposals have been introduced, ranging from full exemptions to versions with income caps. These measures are unfolding alongside broader tax policy discussions, including Governor Kemp’s push for an across-the-board income tax cut, the House’s focus on eliminating residential property taxes, and the Senate’s preference for a phased reduction of income taxes. The direction lawmakers take this week could significantly shape the final outcome.
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 1110
Would create a state income tax credit for small businesses (fewer than 50 employees) that contribute at least $200 per month to an individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement (ICHRA) for Georgia-based employees.
Why it matters: Provides a new incentive for small employers to offer defined-contribution style health benefits, potentially helping restaurants expand health coverage options while offsetting some of the cost through a capped state tax credit.
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 1110
Would create a state income tax credit for small businesses (fewer than 50 employees) that contribute at least $200 per month to an individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement (ICHRA) for Georgia-based employees.
Why it matters: Provides a new incentive for small employers to offer defined-contribution style health benefits, potentially helping restaurants expand health coverage options while offsetting some of the cost through a capped state tax credit.
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.
HB 1331
Would amend Georgia’s Minimum Wage Law by repealing the tip credit.
Why it matters: Removes Georgia’s recognition of the tip credit, a long-standing policy that allows restaurants to count tips toward meeting minimum wage requirements.
HB 1370
Would exclude up to $2,500 in annual overtime pay and up to $5,000 in cash tips from Georgia state income tax beginning in tax year 2027.Why it matters: Creates new employer reporting requirements for overtime and cash tips (monthly or quarterly) and reduces state taxable income for eligible employees.
HB 1400
Would establish the “Georgia Artist-Promoter Fair Practices Act,” requiring written disclosures of performance classifications and any performance-related fees charged to artists, along with itemized receipts and refund rights.
Why it matters: Sets new transparency standards for promoters and venues hosting live performances, potentially affecting how restaurants structure agreements and fee arrangements with musicians.
HB 1416
Would exclude all employee tips from Georgia state income tax beginning in tax year 2026 and require employers to report total tips received by employees to the Department of Revenue
Why it matters: Removes state income tax on tips while creating new employer reporting requirements and compliance obligations.
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 456
Would create limited exceptions to Georgia’s three-tier system, allowing small brewers to expand direct-to-consumer sales and self-distribute a capped amount of product to retail establishments within the same county.
Why it matters: Adjusts long-standing alcohol distribution rules by expanding certain privileges for small brewers.
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.
SB 583
Would require businesses to clearly and conspicuously display the total price of goods or services, including all mandatory fees, surcharges, and automatic gratuities, when advertising or presenting prices to consumers
Why it matters: Impacts how restaurants disclose pricing, service charges, and automatic gratuities, with violations enforced under the Fair Business Practices Act.
HB 1370
Would exclude up to $2,500 in annual overtime pay and up to $5,000 in cash tips from Georgia state income tax beginning in tax year 2027.Why it matters: Creates new employer reporting requirements for overtime and cash tips (monthly or quarterly) and reduces state taxable income for eligible employees.
HB 1400
Would establish the “Georgia Artist-Promoter Fair Practices Act,” requiring written disclosures of performance classifications and any performance-related fees charged to artists, along with itemized receipts and refund rights.
Why it matters: Sets new transparency standards for promoters and venues hosting live performances, potentially affecting how restaurants structure agreements and fee arrangements with musicians.
HB 1416
Would exclude all employee tips from Georgia state income tax beginning in tax year 2026 and require employers to report total tips received by employees to the Department of Revenue
Why it matters: Removes state income tax on tips while creating new employer reporting requirements and compliance obligations.
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 456
Would create limited exceptions to Georgia’s three-tier system, allowing small brewers to expand direct-to-consumer sales and self-distribute a capped amount of product to retail establishments within the same county.
Why it matters: Adjusts long-standing alcohol distribution rules by expanding certain privileges for small brewers.
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.
SB 583
Would require businesses to clearly and conspicuously display the total price of goods or services, including all mandatory fees, surcharges, and automatic gratuities, when advertising or presenting prices to consumers
Why it matters: Impacts how restaurants disclose pricing, service charges, and automatic gratuities, with violations enforced under the Fair Business Practices Act.