New Georgia laws taking effect July 1, 2025: What you need to know
July 1 is the start of the fiscal year in the state of Georgia, and it is also when the majority of new Georgia laws go into effect. Here is a list of some of those laws. However, there are many more. Additionally, there are many laws that have already gone into effect or won't got into effect until Jan. 1, 2026. A complete list of bills signed by Gov. Brian Kemp can be found here.
💵Money & Finances
Income Tax Cut – HB 111
Georgia’s flat income tax rate drops slightly (from ~5.39% to 5.19%), with plans to reach 4.99% over time.
Expand Child Tax Credit – HB 136
Increases Georgia’s child and dependent care tax credit and creates a new $250 credit for each child under age 6.
Fair Pay for People With Disabilities – SB 55
Ends subminimum wages for workers with disabilities.
⚖️Law & Crime
Tougher Fentanyl Punishments – SB 79
Sentences and penalties for small amounts of fentanyl trafficking are harsher to help fight the opioid crisis.
Wrongful Conviction Relief – SB 244
People wrongly convicted can now seek compensation. If prosecutors acted improperly, defendants can reclaim attorney fees.
Survivor Justice Act – HB 582
Domestic-violence or trafficking survivors who committed crimes under duress can ask for lighter sentences or have them reduced.
🎒 Education & Child Safety
Fairness in Sports – SB 1
Requires school sports teams to be designated by sex and limits participation accordingly.
Exams for Home Study Students – SB 63
Mandates local schools offer certain exams to home study students.
Revision of Child Neglect Definition – SB 110
Updates child neglect laws and protects parents who allow safe independent activities.
No Expulsion for Missing School – SB 123
Students can’t be kicked out just for being absent too much. Schools must now use supportive strategies instead of expulsion.
Combating Higher Education Threats from China – HB 150
Requires public universities to report funding from Chinese-linked entities.
Background Checks for Early Childhood Workers – HB 175
Stricter fingerprint and registry checks for daycare and Head Start employees.
Drug Costs for State Employees – HB 196
Requires drug reimbursements under state health plans to follow transparent pricing.
Ban on Cellphones in K–8 – HB 340
Elementary and middle schools must keep personal cellphones stowed during school hours. Other personal electronic devices also banned.
Quality Basic Education Act -- HB 371
Raises funding for education from $300 million to $375 million in effort to improve quality of education.
👪Family & Health
Fentanyl Test Strips Now Legal – SB 6
It’s no longer illegal to carry tools that test drugs for fentanyl. This harm-reduction measure can help prevent overdoses.
Adoptees Get Birth Certificates – SB 100 "Andee’s Law"
Adult adoptees can now request their original birth certificates without a court order.
Hope for Georgia Patients – SB 72
Expands access to experimental treatments for seriously ill patients.
Gestational Diabetes Care – HB 352
Health insurers must better cover diabetes treatment for pregnant women.
IVF Protection – HB 428
Guarantees the right to in vitro fertilization and defines it in Georgia law.
High Deductible Health Plans for State Employees – HB 422
Requires state employee health plans to offer high-deductible options.
🪖Military & Veterans
Burial in Veterans Cemeteries – HB 53
Expands eligibility for burial in Georgia veterans cemeteries.
Military tax exemption -- HB266
Exempts military veterans from paying income tax on retirement income.
🚚 Infrastructure & Transportation
Regulating "Vertiports" – HB 156
The state can plan for future drone or air-taxi ports.
Let Heavier Trucks Use Local Roads – HB 164
Trucks can be 4,000 lbs heavier (up to 84k lbs) on non-interstate roads.
Digital Driver’s Licenses OK – HB 296
Your mobile (e.g., phone wallet) driver's license is now legally valid—just remember to keep your physical copy too.
🛡️ Consumer Protection
Property Insurance Policies – SB 35
Requires insurers to notify policyholders before canceling a homeowners’ insurance policy.
Sales of Catalytic Converters – SB 40
Adds registration and recordkeeping requirements for selling used catalytic converters.
Increased Protection for Homeowners from Contractors – SB 201
Improves contract rules after natural disasters and limits certain insurance assignments.
Limits on Storage Auction Notices – HB 131
Storage units need just one public auction notice (instead of two).
Mortgage Privacy Boost – HB 240
Mortgage brokers can’t spam you with calls after your credit check—protecting your privacy.
Exempt Rideshare Drivers from Motor Carrier Definition – HB 339
Exempts rideshare drivers from motor carrier rules and limits company liability.
Protect Sale of Homemade Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics – HB 398
Legalizes cottage food production and blocks local regulation.
Landlords Must Have GA Agent – HB 399
If your landlord lives out of state, they must have a local contact for emergencies.
🐶 Animal Protection
Protect Pets in Domestic Violence Situations – HB 177
Allows protective orders to include pets in family or dating violence cases.
Roadside Pet Sales Banned – HB 331
No more selling dogs or cats from cars or gas stations—only licensed sellers.
Ban Air Guns While Hunting & Update Catfish Rules – HB 491
Bans air guns for hunting and updates catfish bowfishing rules.
🖤End of Life
Human Composting Legal – SB 241
An eco-friendly burial option: bodies can now be composted into soil.
😄 Fun & Symbolic Moments
Fluorescent Pink Hunting Gear Allowed – HB 167
Blaze pink is now a legal alternative to orange for deer hunting safety.
State Stew Named – HB 233
Designates Brunswick stew as Georgia’s official state stew.
New Specialty License Plates – SB 291
Creates an "America First" specialty license plate.
📜History
Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund Act – HB 454
Creates a grant fund to preserve historic battlefields.
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