These new laws take effect in Georgia on January 1

“Most new laws in Georgia take effect in the summer, but a few will go into effect on New Year's Day.

In just a few days, the calendar will flip and 2026 will be upon us.

That will bring with it several new laws taking effect in Georgia.

While Jan. 1 might seem like the most natural day for new laws to take effect, most laws in Georgia passed by the General Assembly actually take effect in 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. 

Still, some laws don't take effect until January 1 (such as the constitutional amendments passed by voters in November). Here's an overview:

• Georgia Courts Access and Consumer Protection Act

 This law primarily deals in regulations for the practice of "litigation financing," which involves third parties "investing" in a lawsuit in exchange for a cut of the settlement or judgment, per the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform. This new Georgia law requires registration for "persons and entities engaged in litigation financing," prohibits the practice for foreign governments or institutions and "provides for consumer protections regarding litigation financing agreements and litigation financing contracts" among its many provisions.

• Public Accountancy Act of 2025

This "provides for alternative education and experience options to becoming a certified public accountant."

• SB 199

This concerns political campaigns and the State Ethics Commission. Among its provisions is that it prohibits the commission from launching an investigation into a candidate within 60 days of an election. It also goes in several elements of campaign financial and reporting regulations.

• HB 584

Mainly transfers authority over drug abuse treatment and education programs, narcotic treatment programs, community living arrangements and adult residential mental health programs from the state Department of Community Health to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. It also "provides for mandatory reporting of abuse or exploitation of a resident or former resident of a community living arrangement."

• HB 208 and SB 291

The first law establishes several new specialty license plates and "provides for the issuance of up to two free license plates to disabled veterans." The other law separately and specifically establishes a specialty plate with the American flag and words "America First."

• HB 567

Authorizes the practice of teledentistry and provides for its regulation by the Georgia Board of Dentistry.

• SB 112

Concerns HVAC warranties transferring to the new owners after a property sale.

• HB 351

Takes solid waste regulatory power away from the state Board of Natural Resources and "revises solid waste permitting and provides for submission of written verification regarding compliance with local zoning and land use regulations."

• HB 551

It "provides for extensive revisions for the process of issuing temporary operating permits for the operation of motor vehicles during the registration process of a motor vehicle."

• HB 197

The bill primarily concerns when a health insurance review agent is "questioning the medical necessity of care" and the efforts the review agent must take to contact the the provider.

• HB 179

It "allows certain court proceedings to be digitally recorded for later transcription, if necessary, in lieu of concurrent transcription."

• SB 35

It "increases the minimum notice period required before the nonrenewal of certain residential property insurance policies from 30 to 60 days." 

• HB 133

It concerns tax credits for film production and the Department of Economic Development's authority to implement an application process for them, authorizing the department to collect "reasonable fees in relation to such process." It also makes production companies pay for court costs if their denial is upheld on appeal.

• SB 201, partial

Went into effect in July but a portion amending OCGA 33-6-5 goes into effect January 1. The overall law generally deals with protections for homeowners from contractors during natural disaster repairs, the section effective January 1 specifically adds: "No insurer shall sell homeowner's insurance policies that allow for the assignment of proceeds to a contractor within one year of a natural disaster which causes damage to the insured's residential property."

Tax tweaks that begin January 1

These are laws that have already taken effect but apply to the taxable years starting January 1, 2026.

• HB 129 renews a tax credit for postproduction companies and revises the qualifications for a "bona fide conservation use property."
• HB 266 "increases the maximum amount of an income tax exemption for retirement benefits from military service for individuals under 65" and "revises a tax credit for contributions to law enforcement foundations by expanding the definition of a qualified law enforcement foundation and extending the expiration of such tax credit to December 31, 2031."
• HB 511 authorizes taxpayers to establish a catastrophe savings account and provides for its regulations, such as how much may be contributed to such an account (depends on someone's deductible, is the answer).
• HB 144 "expands the tax credit for preceptorship rotations to include licensed dentists," increases the credit and extends its sunset date to December 31, 2030.“