Bill > HB529

This bill introduces the Georgia Online Automatic Renewal Transparency Act, which aims to protect consumers from problematic automatic renewal practices in service contracts and online subscriptions. The legislation requires businesses to clearly disclose automatic renewal terms, provide consumers with the option to terminate service contracts after their specified period, and create easy online cancellation processes. Specifically, businesses must: prominently display renewal terms before a purchase, obtain explicit consumer consent, provide clear acknowledgment of the terms, and offer simple methods to cancel subscriptions online (such as a clear website link or cancellation email). The bill mandates that businesses send renewal notices to consumers and provides that any goods sent without proper consent are considered unconditional gifts to the consumer. The law applies to service contracts and online subscriptions of more than one month and includes exemptions for certain types of businesses like financial institutions, utilities, and government-regulated entities. While the Attorney General can enforce the law and seek injunctions, there is no private right of action for consumers. The legislation will become effective on December 31, 2025, and apply to contracts entered into on or after that date, with the goal of creating more transparent and consumer-friendly automatic renewal practices.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70512