GFIA_Vol24No1.indd

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

by 1.5% that both master licensees and retailers pay to the GA Lottery to support Hope and PreK. The bill also legalizes the use of nonreloadable gift cards until July 1, 2026, after which all re demption shall be any of the following: replays, lottery products, or gift cards -- be them reloadable or nonreloadable. Also allows masters or retailers to provide a self-service gift card machine for the purpose of redeeming winnings on a gift card. Status: Passed Organized Retail Crime SB472, by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell), amends the organized retail crime bill (INFORM Consumers Act) that passed last year by tweaking the language related to online sales and 3rd party sellers to include the companies that facilitate offline transactions. An example would be Facebook Marketplace. SB472 is another attempt by Georgia legislators reduce the loss from organized retail crime. Status: Passed Tort Reform SB186, by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), was the Senate premise liability bill supported by the business community. Known as the Georgia Landowners Protection Act, the legislation would protect landowners by not holding them liable for injuries sustained by trespassers due to the willful, wanton or intentional conduct of third parties. Although the bill passed the Senate Insur ance and Labor Committee, it did not have enough support for a full Senate vote. Status: Did NOT pass SB 430, by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), removes the sign requirements for the COVID liability protections. Status: Passed SB 426, by Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia), is also known as Direct Action Reform. The bill clarifies that insurers may only be named defendants in motor carrier lawsuits when either the truck driver or trucking company cannot be served with a lawsuit or are found to be insolvent or bankrupt. Status: Passed

guidelines for insurers to satisfy in order to prevent unfounded “bad faith” claims, which allow for recovery beyond the insurers’ policy limits. Status: Passed HB 1114, by Rep. Will Wade (R-Dawsonville), is Governor Kemp’s “Data Analysis for Tort Reform Act”. The bill allows the Department of Insurance to collect data from certain insurers, rating organizations, and state agencies from July 2024 through November 2029 and is intended to provide legislators with com prehensive data to drive future tort reform conversations. Status: Passed HB 1371, by Rep. James Burchett (R-Waycross), addresses the issue of Premises Liability reform, and would make limited changes to civil procedure in negligent security cases. After inten sive work, attempted negotiations, and lots of blood, sweat and tears by the entire business community, all the way up to the 11th hour, premises liability legislation did not pass this year. In the final hours, the business community opposed the final language. Status: Did NOT pass Tax Reform Businesses were happy to see a reduction in the state’s flat corporate tax and an increase in the ad valorem tax exemption. Although not business-related, several tax reform bills passed that will lower individual taxes for our employees, our customers and ourselves. All the tax bills listed below have Passed. HB 808, by Rep. Mike Cheokas (R-Americus), increases the state ad valorem tax exemption for tangible personal property from $7,500 to $20,000 for small businesses. HB 1023, by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe), reduces the state’s flat corporate income tax rate from 5.75% to match the personal income tax rate.

SB 83, by Sen. Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain) is also known as Insurance Bad Faith Reform. The bill clarifies the procedures for automobile collision insurance demands and establishes HB 1015, by Rep. Lauren McDonald (R-Cumming), reduces the personal income tax rate, by accelerating the reduction of the state’s personal income tax by ten basis points from 5.49% to 5.39%, effective for the 2024 tax year (Scheduled to be reduced to 4.99% by 2029) HB 1019, by Rep. Matt Reeves (R-Duluth), increases the state wide homestead exemption from $2,000 to $4,000. 2024 ELECTION DATES – MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Immediately upon conclusion of the legislative session, election / campaign season officially began. Given that sitting legislators are prohibited from raising funds during the session, the election fundraising circuit is in full swing! Important election dates to be aware of include: • May 21, 2024 Primary Election • June 18, 2024 Primary runoff election if needed • November 5, 2024 General Election • December 3, 2024 General Election runoff if needed

6

“The Voice of the Food Industry in Georgia”