HB 117: Food service establishments; require notification of the country of origin of seafood items

Currently, Georgia food service establishments are not required to tell customers whether the shrimp on their menu comes from another country. This bill adds a new section to Georgia's food service establishment laws (O.C.G.A. § 26-2-378.1) requiring any restaurant or food service establishment that serves foreign imported shrimp to disclose that fact. Establishments must either mark each menu item containing shrimp with the words 'FOREIGN IMPORTED' or post a visible placard reading 'FOREIGN IMPORTED SHRIMP.' The requirement does not apply to food service establishments run by a state agency, using the definition of state agency found in Georgia's tax code (O.C.G.A. § 48-8-14). The bill repeals any conflicting laws but does not include a separate stated effective date beyond standard enactment.

• Adds a new Georgia law requiring food service establishments that serve foreign imported shrimp to disclose this on menus or placards.
• Requires the disclosure to say 'FOREIGN IMPORTED' next to each shrimp menu item, or 'FOREIGN IMPORTED SHRIMP' on a visible placard.
• Exempts food service establishments operated by a state agency, as defined under Georgia's sales tax code (O.C.G.A. § 48-8-14).
• Repeals any existing Georgia laws that conflict with this new labeling requirement.

Restaurants and other food service establishments in Georgia that serve shrimp, especially those using imported shrimp, and their customers who would see the new disclosures. State agency run food service operations are exempt from the requirement.

Diners at Georgia restaurants would gain clearer information about whether the shrimp they order was imported, potentially affecting purchasing decisions tied to concerns about food origin, quality, or supporting domestic seafood. Restaurants would need to update menus or add placards to comply.

• Section 1 creates new Code Section 26-2-378.1, requiring disclosure of foreign imported shrimp on menus or placards at food service establishments.
• The disclosure must appear either as 'FOREIGN IMPORTED' next to each affected menu item or as a placard reading 'FOREIGN IMPORTED SHRIMP' visible to the public.
• The requirement does not apply to food service establishments operated by a state agency, as defined in O.C.G.A. § 48-8-14.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws, a standard provision clearing away inconsistent existing statutes.

1. 2026-05-06Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-06Act 426
3. 2026-05-06House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-02-11House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2026-02-02Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2026-02-02Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2026-01-28Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)

• Jesse Petrea (R, HD-166)Primary sponsor
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Rick Townsend (R, HD-179)
• Buddy DeLoach (R, HD-167)
• Lehman Franklin (R, HD-160)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 19, 2025

   165 yea, 7 nay (2 not voting, 6 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #43

2. PassedSenate voteFebruary 2, 2026

   43 yea, 8 nay (2 not voting, 1 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #508

3. PassedHouse voteFebruary 11, 2026

   157 yea, 8 nay (2 not voting, 8 absent)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #500

• food labeling
• seafood origin
• restaurant regulations
• consumer protection