ATLANTA — July 1 marks a major day in Georgia, as over 100 new laws will go into effect. These laws will impact areas such as crime, money, and education.

Most laws in Georgia passed by the General Assembly take effect the summer after they’re signed by the governor following Sine Die (the final day of the legislature, which usually occurs at the end of March).

The state website notes that unless a bill specifically states otherwise, new laws take effect for the most part on July 1. Here’s an overview of the key players:

HB 358: Defines what counts as a “military installation.” This definition relates to the ban on “certain foreign persons and entities” from buying or using farmland or land within a 10-mile radius of a military base, military installation or military airport.

SB 144: Manufacturers of pesticides can’t be held liable for not warning consumers of health risks beyond those required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An exception to this rule is if the EPA finds that a manufacturer knowingly withheld, misrepresented or destroyed health risk information.

HB 331: You can’t transfer a dog, cat or domestic rabbit at any roadside, public right of way, parkway, median, public or commercial parking lot or sidewalk, park, recreation area, fair, flea market or similar outdoor location. Those who violate this law will be fined. The intent of the law is to curb sales linked to puppy mills.

HB 614: Allows local governments to ban the use of fireworks in proximity to facilities housing horses. May include special event permits to allow the use of fireworks.

SB 105: Allows the practice of veterinary telemedicine, tele-triage, and tele-advice. Provides the requirements for licensed veterinarians to issue this telemedicine.

HB 176: If a judge makes a decision in a criminal case but doesn’t decide on every charge, it can still be appealed if the rest of the charges are put on hold (aka “dead docketed”). The law allows a person to ask the court to give them more time to file for a new trial or appeal in certain circumstances. You can withdraw a guilty plea that resulted in a criminal conviction within 30 days of the conviction or within the term of court when the plea was taken.

HB 582: The “Georgia Survivor Justice Act” allows abuse to be considered in the sentencing of domestic violence survivors who committed crimes while under the coercion of their partners. Allow survivors to present police reports, medical records and testimony about their abuse, which could lead to significant reductions in sentencing for those whose actions were a direct result of their trauma. For those already in prison, HB 582 would allow for resentencing if they can prove that domestic violence played a role in their crime.

HB 199: Requires state and local governments to restrict certain personally identifiable information from public disclosure. Creates a procedure for state and federal judges and their spouses to request the restriction of any other personally identifiable information from the public.

HB 85: Establishes the “Superior Court Judicial Compensation Reform Act.” Adjusts the salary structure for superior court and statewide judges, who previously were paid both a state salary and optional county subsidies. This law caps local supplements paid to superior court judges and authorizes the General Assembly to set annual salaries. No judge’s salary will be cut by the measure.

SB 110: Defines “blatant disregard” and “independent activity” and re-defines “neglect” in the juvenile code. Creates an exception for certain reckless conduct crimes for legal custodians allowing children to participate in some independent activities.

SB 79: Enacts the “Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act” which adjusts the amounts of fentanyl necessary to be considered illegal trafficking. Adjusts the mandatory minimum sentencing for trafficking of controlled substances.

SB 132: Addresses the long wait times for pretrial mental health evaluations. Requires a hearing before a court orders an evaluation of the mental competency of an accused person to stand trial. Provides for the release of reports of mental competency evaluations and a shorter timeframe in which a mental competency evaluation must happen when the accused is only charged with one or more nonviolent misdemeanor offenses.

SB 244: Provides for the award of reasonable attorney’s fees to defendants in criminal cases when the prosecuting attorney is disqualified for misconduct and the case is dismissed. Enacts the “Wrongful Conviction and Incarceration Compensation Act” to establish procedures for those people to claim and receive compensation from the state.

HB 161: Expands cyber-enabled offense investigations for which Georgia Bureau of Investigation officials can issue subpoenas for the production of electronic communication records. Defines “assassination” and establishes the crime of domestic terrorism.

HB 58: Bans the operation of unmanned aircrafts within 400 feet of or above ticketed entertainment events. Exceptions include if a person with legal authority over the event gives permission.

HB 136: Parents of children age five and under could claim a $250 state income tax credit, which also expands the state income tax credit for child care expenses.

HB 111: An already-planned state income tax cut will be accelerated, reducing the 5.39% tax rate to a flat 5.19%.

SB 55: Creates the “Dignity and Pay Act” which bans employers from paying individuals with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage.

HB 136: Provides a tax credit for qualified child care and dependent care expenses of up to 50% of the amount of credit provided for by the IRS. Also provides a $250 tax credit for each qualifying child of the taxpayer.

SB 1: Enacts the “Riley Gaines Act of 2025” requiring local school systems, public schools and participating private schools to designate all teams as male, female or co-ed. Requires post-secondary institutions to designate all teams as male or female. Bans males from participating in competitions on teams designated as female and vice versa, unless a corresponding team is not offered. Requires that multiple-occupancy restrooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters be designated by gender.

HB 235: Allows public school teachers and employees and post-secondary employees to take a leave of absence for bone marrow or organ donations.

HB 340: The “Distraction-Free Education Act” bans public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade from using cellphones during the school day.

SB 193: Establishes an Adult Workforce High School Diploma program within TCSG to award diplomas to individuals between the ages of 21 and 40. 

SB 213: Makes it a violation of the Fair Business Practices Act of 1975 for any person to provide scholastic cheating services to any student or examinee. The act should not limit tutorial services or certain academic support services.

HB 192: The “Top State for Talent Act” helps students prepare for jobs that are high demand in Georgia. The Department of Education will create school programs matching careers that need more workers in the state. Establishes the State Workforce Development Board. Students in dual enrollment can keep using HOPE grant money for certain job-related courses.

SB 63: Requires local schools that offer the PSAT, SAT, PreACT, ACT, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or other advanced placement exams to also make the test equally available to any home study student in the local school system.

SB 123: Revises school attendance laws so that no student is expelled by a public school due solely to absenteeism. Requires local boards of education to adopt policies and intervention plans for chronically absent students. Students taking tests and physical exams for military services will be counted as present for any time away.

HB 150: Enacts the “Combating Threats from Foreign Countries of Concern Act of 2025.” Requires the university system to submit semi-annual reports to the governor and committees on higher education regarding funds received from foreign countries and individuals of concern.

HB 454: Creates the Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund and Program. Sets up a matching grant program to encourage both federal and private investment in the state’s battlefields.

HB 208: Provides for up to two free license plates for disabled veterans and for specialty license plates honoring the Shepherd Center, Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, Southern University alumni, Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Alabama State University, the state parks and historic sites division of the Department of Natural Resources, and the conservation of black bass populations. 

HB 428: Confirms that nothing in Georgia law bans or prevents an individual from getting in vitro fertilization (IVF).

SB 241: Allows composting of human remains as an alternative to burial or cremation. Requires facilities to be licensed by the State Board of Funeral Services.

HB 423: Supports and codifies the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority transition to a next-gen 911 system.

SB 58: Creates the “Georgia Transporting Life-Saving Organs and Personnel Act,” which allows the licensing and operation of emergency organ transport vehicles as ambulance services on public roads.

SB 72: Creates the “Hope for Georgia Patients Act,” expanding access to investigational, individualized treatments tailored around the patient’s unique genetic makeup. Expands patient eligibility beyond terminal illnesses to include patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating conditions. Creates multiple layers of patient protection, like informed consent requirements.

SB 100: Creates “Andee’s Law,” allowing people who were adopted or who received a new birth certificate after adoption to get a copy of their original birth certificate. This copy can’t be used for legal purposes. If the adoptee is deceased, a parent, sibling, or descendant may obtain a copy of this birth certificate.

HB 233: Makes the fourth Friday in November of each year “National Sugarcane Syrup Day” in Georgia. Also makes Brunswick stew the official Georgia state stew and cornbread the official Georgia state bread. Bans companies owned by a foreign country of concern from submitting a bid or proposal for a contract with state agencies.

HB 399: Requires landlords who own or operate single-family or duplex residential rental properties but aren’t Georgia residents to employ at least one person in the state for receiving, coordinating, managing, and responding to landlord-related communications.

HB 296: Requires a physical driver’s license to be used as identification to a poll worker at a polling place. Requires a physical driver’s license to be shown for the sale of a hunting, trapping, or fishing license when the sale isn’t made over the phone or Internet. Requires a physical driver’s license to be shown for a lifetime sportsman’s license. Requires police officers to accept a driver’s license in an electronic format by the Department of Driver Services when the officer has the equipment to verify.

HB 303: Enacts the “Original 33 Memorial Act.” This will place a monument on the state capitol building grounds for the 33 elected African American legislators, known as the Original 33, who were elected to serve the Georgia General Assembly but expelled from serving in September 1868. Provides for the postponement of such monument placement due to safety concerns.

HB 113: Bans the state or a state agency from purchasing concerned goods from a foreign company or country of concern. 

SB 96: Revises membership of the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission; abolishes the Environmental Advisory Council; abolishes the Jekyll Island Citizens Resource Council; abolishes the Stakeholder Advisory Board and transfers its function to the Erosion and Sediment Control Overview Council; abolishes the Governor’s Office for Children and Families; abolishes the Georgia Volunteer Fire Service Council; abolishes the Georgia Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council; transfers the Georgia Council on Lupus Education and Awareness from the Department of Community Health to the Department of Public Health; abolishes the Board of Homeland Security; abolishes the Employment First Georgia Council and transfers its responsibilities to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency; abolishes the Georgia State Games Commission; and abolishes the Lottery Retailer Advisory Board.