GRA State of the Session: March 9, 2026
March 9, 2026
NOTEWORTHY.
- House Passes Property Tax Reform. The House pushed its tax debate right up to the Crossover deadline, finally passing its property tax reform package sometime after 10PM Friday night—because nothing says “good policy discussion” like late-night legislating. The final version didn’t go quite as far as some originally hoped. Rather than eliminating property taxes outright, the bill caps how much they can increase each year. Business groups have raised concerns that local governments might try to make up lost revenue through higher sales taxes, but the bill attempts to address that by placing a cap on those as well. With the House hurdle cleared, the real entertainment begins: the Senate now gets its turn. And given that some senators would rather eliminate income taxes altogether, expect a few twists and turns along the way.
- Penny Bill Evolves. The legislation aimed at addressing the ongoing penny shortage managed to make it across before the Crossover deadline, but not without a little change. The bill was revised so that instead of rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel, businesses would now round down to the closest nickel when exact change isn’t available, all in the name of affordability. In other words, the penny may be disappearing, but lawmakers still want consumers to keep a few cents in their pockets. Now the bill heads to the Senate, where—like most things under the Gold Dome—it could see a few more tweaks before it’s all said and done.
- 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 — AFTER CROSSOVER DAY.
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.
WHAT CROSSED OVER — NOW WITH THE OTHER CHAMBER
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 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 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 1470
Would allow businesses to recover damages and attorney’s fees when ADA website accessibility lawsuits are unsuccessful, dismissed, or lack standing, including at least $10,000 in damages and potential treble damages in certain cases.
Why it matters: Aims to deter frivolous ADA website lawsuits and reduce litigation costs for businesses.
WHAT DIDN'T CROSS OVER — NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PASSAGE
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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 - Georgia Artist-Promoter Fair Practices Act
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.
HB 1493 - Georgia Worker Empowerment Act
HB 1493 would expand collective bargaining rights for certain workers, limit at-will employment by requiring “just cause” for termination, and create several industry worker standards boards—including one for retail and food service—to recommend minimum standards for wages, hours, and workplace safety. The bill also requires large retail, food service, and hospitality employers to provide employee work schedules at least 14 days in advance and provide additional “predictability pay” when shifts are changed on short notice.
Why it matters: Could significantly change employment rules, scheduling requirements, and labor standards for restaurants and hospitality businesses.
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.