Committee passes bill tightening automatic‑renewal rules; fitness operators urge industry exemption

The House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee again advanced HB 529 on Monday, a measure intended to curb surprise automatic renewals in consumer contracts and require affirmative consumer consent to extend subscriptions beyond an agreed term.

Representative Dan Barrett, sponsor of the bill, said the aim is to give consumers a clear choice at the end of a subscription period rather than leave the burden on customers to remember to cancel. "If you are going to make me sign up for an automatic renewal on a long term contract, I want you to give us an option as well to say at the end of that term, it's over," Barrett said. He said the bill is not intended to disrupt short month‑to‑month arrangements but acknowledged language might need clarification as it moves through the Senate: "we would look at finding the appropriate person to carry the bill in the senate and maybe tweak that language to bring additional clarity."

Charles Rignanti, representing the Georgia Health and Fitness Association, told the committee his industry supports the bill’s intent but asked for an exemption from an online cancellation requirement. He said month‑to‑month renewals account for "70 to 80% of total revenue" for many fitness facilities and operate on tight margins of "about 10 to 15%," and that forcing monthly members to be repeatedly re‑offered automatic renewals or to use website cancellation portals would "significantly damage member experience" and be costly for small operators. Rignanti asked the committee to exempt fitness facilities or otherwise narrow the language to target long‑term automatic renewals.

Sponsor Barrett and other committee members, including Representative Osteen and Representative Taylor, said they intend the law to target long‑term subscription renewals and the most problematic practices (for example, annual subscriptions that renew without clear notice). Barrett also said legislative counsel advised short‑term month‑to‑month contracts were not the bill’s target and that the committee could add a notice requirement if a company raises prices "in a material fashion." Barrett told the committee he had discussed industry concerns with stakeholders and legislative counsel and would consider technical changes.

After questions and public testimony, the committee moved and passed LC550567S (the committee substitute/packet number for HB 529) by voice vote and sent the bill to Rules. Committee minutes show the bill passed with members saying "aye" on a voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.

What happens next: Sponsors sign required paperwork and prepare technical language revisions as the bill moves to the Senate; fitness industry groups said they will propose an amendment to exempt or clarify treatment of month‑to‑month memberships and to narrow online cancellation requirements.

Votes at a glance: HB 529 — committee substitute (LC550567S); voice vote recorded as "aye," no roll‑call recorded; outcome: passed and reported to Rules.