Representative Todd Jones’ portable benefits bill wins unanimous committee approval

Representative Todd Jones presented House Bill 9987 (LC520908), the Portable Health Care Benefits Act, to the Insurance and Labor Committee and the panel approved the measure by unanimous voice vote.

"This is the portable health care benefits act," Jones told the committee, describing a 52-line bill that would let independent contractors voluntarily allocate a portion of their pay into a dedicated account for health, dental and disability benefits while preserving their 1099 classification. "It keeps the independent contractor an independent contractor," he said, and provides the hiring entity assurance that participation will not reclassify the worker as a W-2 employee.

The bill, Jones said, creates what he described as a "Staples easy button" for contractors and hiring entities: a simple, voluntary contract establishing separate operating and benefits accounts. On tax questions, Jones told the panel the legislation "does not touch the tax implications" and that federal and state tax treatment would be handled downstream by the Department of Revenue, the IRS and the contractor's accountant.

Committee members pressed for practical details. Senator Hodges asked whether current law already permits similar arrangements; Jones said contractors can already direct money to benefit accounts but the bill clarifies and standardizes that option to reduce classification risk. Senator Ted asked who sets up the account; Jones said the independent contractor does and that there is no vesting period — the funds remain under the contractor's control. Senator Steele, participating by phone, raised a scenario where variable hours might make premiums unaffordable; Jones said the contractor would be responsible for moving money between accounts to cover premiums and that the hiring entity would not be required to cover shortfalls.

Three public witnesses spoke in favor. Mark Bridal, senior director at the Artistry Institute, argued the bill would explicitly define portable benefits in Georgia code and cited pilot-program opt-in rates and national polling indicating self-employed workers want portable benefits. "A voluntary portable benefit system can put these benefits and others within reach," Bridal said. Tony West, state director for Americans for Prosperity in Georgia, called the proposal a tool to empower workers. Buzz Brockway of the Georgia Center for Opportunity cited an Atlanta DoorDash pilot and urged committee approval.

At the committee vote, a motion to "do pass" was moved by Senator Hodges and seconded by Senator Harbison; the chair called for those in favor and declared the measure unanimous. Representative Jones thanked the committee and said he would arrange for a senator to carry the bill in the Senate. The committee then handled scheduling for a separate subcommittee and adjourned.

The committee did not take a roll-call recorded vote; the chair stated the approval was unanimous by voice. Next procedural steps noted in the meeting: the sponsor will identify a Senate carrier and the bill will proceed to the next committee or floor process as scheduled.