There are a whole host of new laws taking effect on July 1st, 2025, and we’ve made a handy dandy little guide so you know what’s up! So keep scrolling to learn about five interesting new laws that will begin in July of this year! And, of course, if you’re looking for all the details and specifics, you can check out the Georgia General Assembly’s website here!
1. HB 208
According to the GA General Assembly,
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-2-86 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to license plates promoting or supporting certain agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations with proceeds disbursed to the general fund and the agency, fund, or nonprofit corporation, so as to establish a specialty license plate supporting the state parks and historic sites division of the Department of Natural Resources; to establish a specialty license plate promoting conservation and enhancement of black bass populations; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Basically… Georgians can now purchase special license plates that honor the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, multiple universities, National Parks and a plate celebrating the conservation of black bass populations. Oh, and according to Atlanta News First, “Disabled veterans can now apply for two additional free license plates”!
2. SB 79
According to the GA General Assembly,
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 16 of the O.C.G.A., relating to crimes and offenses, so as to revise threshold amounts of fentanyl and related substances necessary to constitute the offenses of possessing, selling, distributing, and manufacturing of such substances; to revise mandatory minimum departure provisions for defendants convicted of trafficking of substances in violation of Code Section 16-13-31, relating to trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana, or methamphetamine and penalties; to amend various titles of the O.C.G.A., so as to provide for conforming changes; to provide for an effective date; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Basically… this bill raises the jail sentence and fines for those convicted of trafficking fentanyl in Georgia. Oh, and it revises the amount of drug movement that constitutes ‘trafficking’ as well.
3. SB 55
According to the GA General Assembly,
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to labor and industrial relations, so as to phase out the payment of subminimum wage to persons with disabilities; to repeal provisions concerning exemptions to the state minimum wage law for persons with disabilities; to provide that no employer shall utilize a certificate issued by the United States Department of Labor pursuant to 29 U.S.C. Section 214(c) to pay individuals with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage; to provide exceptions; to provide for related matters; to provide a short title; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Basically… this means that employers will no longer be able to pay below minimum wage to those with disabilities.
4. SB 123
According to the GA General Assembly,
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20, relating to compulsory attendance, so as to update and revise provisions of the state’s compulsory school attendance laws; to provide that no student shall be expelled by a public school due solely to absenteeism; to provide for reporting requirements; to amend Code Section 20-4-141 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to establishment of pilot program, awarding of high school diploma to successful participants, skills and knowledge, eligibility for participation, and regulation, so as to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Basically… this new law will prohibit students from being expelled from school for missing too much class.
And according to Augusta-Aiken WRDW-TV, “The bill’s sponsors also said it provides more localized approaches to reviewing chronic absenteeism cases and requires local school boards to adopt policies to help students who are chronically absent.”
5. HB 111
According to the GA General Assembly,
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the imposition, rate, computation, exemptions, and credits relative to income taxes, so as to reduce the rate of the tax; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Basically… according to Atlanta News First, this bill works to lower “Georgia’s income tax rate incrementally to 4.99 percent through January 2026.”
If you’ve got more questions about the new laws going into effect on July 1st, 2025, you can learn more on the Georgia General Assembly’s website, here!