Senate · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session

SB583: SB583 False Advertising; any person, firm, or corporation to display all fees associated with a consumer transaction when displaying the total price of a good; require

Last action February 26, 2026 · Senate Read and Referred

A Georgia Senate bill would require businesses to show the full, all-in price of goods and services, including mandatory fees and gratuities, whenever they advertise a price to consumers.

In plain language

Georgia law currently allows businesses to advertise a base price for goods or services while adding mandatory fees, surcharges, or automatic gratuities later in the transaction. This bill would add a new section to Georgia's false advertising law (O.C.G.A. Title 10, Chapter 1, Article 15) requiring that any advertised or displayed price clearly and prominently show the total price, including all mandatory fees, surcharges, and the percentage of any automatic mandatory gratuities. The bill carves out exceptions for businesses whose prices vary by consumer choice, distance, or time, as long as they disclose the pricing factors and possible fees, and for broadband providers, broadcast services, and live-event ticket sellers that already follow specific federal pricing rules. Businesses may still advertise price reductions, promotions, or fee waivers without violating the law. Any violation would be treated as a violation of Georgia's Fair Business Practices Act of 1975.

What the bill does

Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-428) requiring businesses to display the total price of goods or services, including mandatory fees, surcharges, and automatic gratuity percentages.
Requires the total price to be shown as prominently, in as large a font, and with as much contrast as the rest of the advertisement or display.
Exempts 'price-variable suppliers' if they clearly disclose the pricing factors, possible mandatory fees, and that the total cost may vary.
Exempts broadband, broadcast, and live-event ticket providers that already comply with specific federal pricing disclosure rules.
Allows businesses to advertise price reductions, discounts, or fee waivers without being penalized under the new requirement.
Classifies any violation of the new pricing rule as a violation of Georgia's Fair Business Practices Act of 1975, making it enforceable under that existing law.

Who it affects

Any business, including retailers, service providers, and price-variable suppliers such as rideshare or delivery companies, that advertises prices to Georgia consumers. Broadband providers, broadcast companies, and live-event ticket sellers are treated differently under specific federal-compliance exceptions.

Why it matters

Georgians shopping for goods or services would see the real, final price up front rather than discovering added fees or gratuities at checkout. Businesses would need to redesign pricing displays and advertisements to meet the new prominence and disclosure standards or risk being found in violation of the state's consumer protection law.

Key provisions

Section 1 adds O.C.G.A. § 10-1-428, defining 'broadband service,' 'consumer transaction,' and 'price-variable supplier' for purposes of the new rule.
Subsection (b) requires clear and conspicuous display of the total price, including mandatory fees, surcharges, and automatic gratuity percentages, with prominence comparable to the rest of the ad.
Subsection (c) exempts price-variable suppliers that disclose pricing factors and fees, plus broadband, broadcast, and live-event ticket providers meeting specified federal rules.
Subsection (d) clarifies that reducing an advertised price, offering promotions or fee waivers, or complying with preemptive federal law is not a violation.
Subsection (e) makes any violation of the new section a violation of the Fair Business Practices Act of 1975, tying enforcement to that existing consumer protection law.
Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

Status timeline

2026-02-26Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2026-02-25Senate Hopper (Senate)

Topics

consumer protection
false advertising
hidden fees
pricing transparency
fair business practices