Georgia bill would bar software vendors from restricting public‑sector vendor choice

Representative Tim Fleming introduced House Bill 913 to the House Governmental Affairs Committee, saying the measure would prohibit software vendors from inserting contract provisions that limit a public customer's choice of additional technology services. Fleming described the bill as a cost‑saving, competition‑promoting measure that applies only to future contracts and "ensures budget funds are used effectively."

The bill's author said the measure prevents vendors from writing clauses that dictate where governments buy replacement services, using a car‑purchase analogy: "That's what we're dealing with here." Fleming noted support from national organizations such as ALEC and the Council of State Governments.

Scott Drexel of the Coalition for Fair Software Licensing testified in favor, saying buried terms in vendor agreements have pushed public agencies to purchase additional services beyond the software they intended to buy and that decoupling licensing from bundled services promotes competition and can help cybersecurity by allowing agencies to spread risk across providers. Drexel referenced a Federal Trade Commission inquiry and said the issue has bipartisan attention at the federal level.

Representative Adesanya asked whether the bill targeted particular companies; Drexel replied it was not aimed at a single vendor but said Microsoft, Oracle and SAP have been under greater federal scrutiny for related tactics.

The committee had no extended debate and moved the measure forward on a motion; the chair announced the motion carried.