HB574: HB574 Labor and industrial relations; applicability of workers' compensation to employers and employees; provisions

Georgia's workers' compensation law (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-2) currently spells out which employers and employees the state's workers' compensation system covers. This bill adds a new exception to that section. Under the bill, Georgia's workers' compensation chapter would not apply to employees of an employer that is covered by, and is providing coverage under, the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (a federal law covering certain maritime and dockside workers). In practice, this means employers who already provide federal longshore coverage for a worker would not also be required to provide separate state workers' compensation coverage for that same worker. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws, a standard closing provision.

• Adds a new subsection (g) to Georgia's workers' compensation law (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-2) creating an exemption for certain employers.
• Exempts employees of an employer from Georgia workers' compensation coverage if that employer is already covered by and providing coverage under the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.
• Repeals any existing Georgia laws that conflict with this new exemption.

Employers and employees in maritime, dockside, or harbor-related work who are already covered under the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, particularly businesses operating at Georgia ports or waterfront facilities.

Employers covered by the federal longshore law would no longer need to also maintain separate Georgia workers' compensation coverage for the same workers, potentially reducing duplicate insurance costs, while affected workers would rely solely on the federal system if they are injured on the job.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 34-9-2 by adding subsection (g), stating that Georgia's workers' compensation chapter does not apply to employees of an employer covered by and providing coverage under the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 901 et seq.
• Section 2 repeals all state laws or parts of laws that conflict with this Act, a standard closing provision.

1. 2026-03-03House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2026-02-05House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
3. 2025-02-26House Second Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-24House First Readers (House)
5. 2025-02-21House Hopper (House)

• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)Primary sponsor
• Rick Townsend (R, HD-179)
• Bill Hitchens (R, HD-161)
• Jesse Petrea (R, HD-166)
• Buddy DeLoach (R, HD-167)
• Steven Sainz (R, HD-180)

• workers' compensation
• maritime workers
• labor law
• port and harbor employment