Bill > SB273

This bill proposes significant changes to Georgia's minimum wage law by drastically increasing the state's minimum wage from $5.15 to $22.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. The bill introduces an annual cost-of-living adjustment mechanism where the Georgia Department of Labor will calculate minimum wage increases each September based on the Consumer Price Index, with adjustments taking effect the following January. For tipped workers, employers can credit tips toward up to 50% of the minimum wage. The bill also modifies existing wage exemptions, eliminating several previous categories and raising the sales threshold for small business exemption from $40,000 to $50,000. While previously exempt were domestic employees, farm workers, and employees compensated partially by gratuities, the new law maintains exemptions for high school and college students, newspaper carriers, and certain nonprofit residential care workers. The bill increases the annual compensation threshold for residential care workers from $10,000 to $15,000. The legislation aims to provide a more comprehensive and inflation-responsive minimum wage framework for Georgia workers, with protections for both employees and small businesses.

Business and Industry

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70911