GFIA_Vol23No1.indd

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Notable bills that did NOT pass, but are viable for the 2024 legislative session

Hygiene Sales Tax Removable and Labeling Requirements HB345 was introduced to remove the sales tax on oral hygiene products. Two pieces of legislation were introduced impacting what types of menstrual products can be sold in Georgia. HB 258 has a labeling requirement while HB257 prohibits the sale of products with certain substances. Tobacco/ Vape Representative Ron Stephens (R- Savannah), introduced two tobacco tax increase bills. HB191 would increase the tax on ciga rettes to 57 cents per pack and HB192 would tax vapor products at 15% of the wholesale price regardless of type. Kratom/ Hemp/ Delta 8/ Cannabis All of the bills related to cannabis, hemp, and kratom failed to pass this session. We should expect these issues to continue in the

Protection Act, which would give some relief on premise liabili ty. The bill would eliminate constructive notice when third party criminal acts occur on a landowner’s property and require a land owner to have actual notice of the activity and to have contributed to the harm in some way. SB203 by Sen. Anavitarte (R-Dallas), the Trucking Opportunity Act, repeals a provision that allows for lawsuits to be brought against motor carriers and their insurance companies as co-defen dants, and allows veterans to access tuition free training programs for a CDL permit. Senators added floor amendments to strip the bill of any tort reform, therefore “gutting” the bill. HB530 by Rep. James Burchett (R-Waycross), the Apex Doctrine bill prohibits the deposition of a high-ranking company officer if they lack unique personal knowledge of any matter that is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action. (Similar to SB2000 by Sen. Bill Cowsert, (R-Athens). HB530 language was added to SB74, which passed.) HB271 , by Rep. Pirkle (R-Ashburn), would eliminate direct action against insurers in motor trucking cases. Georgia remains one of four states that allows this to happen. State-Wide Transportation Plan Stalls HB617 by Rep. Jasperse (R-Jasper), directs the Department of Transportation to create a state-wide Freight and Logistics Trans portation Plan.

foreseeable future. Tort/Legal Reform

SB2 by Sen. Dolezal (R-Cumming), would extend COVID lia bility protections to businesses and healthcare providers without an expiration date so long as they are not grossly negligent in conducting their operations. (Currently expired in 2022) SB186 by Sen. Dolezal (R- Forsyth), the Georgia Landowners

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