A new year in Georgia is arriving with a stack of new laws, touching everything from home insurance notices to car tags and campaign finance rules, as lawmakers wrap up unfinished business from the last legislative session.
Several measures that didn’t kick in over the summer are set to become law on New Year’s Day, quietly reshaping daily life for residents, professionals, and public officials alike.
Professional Shortages Push Lawmakers to Rewrite Licensing Rules
One of the most talked-about changes comes from Georgia General Assembly efforts to deal with workforce shortages in key professions.
House Bill 148, known as the Public Accountancy Act of 2025, updates a licensing framework that had been largely untouched for nearly 30 years.
The bill was sponsored by John Carson, a Republican from Marietta and a certified public accountant himself.
Supporters say the goal is practical.
Georgia, like much of the country, is running short on accountants. Firms struggle to recruit. Younger professionals often look elsewhere. The law creates new pathways to becoming a CPA while also allowing some out-of-state accounting firms to perform limited work in Georgia without setting up a physical office.
That flexibility, lawmakers argue, helps businesses while keeping professional standards intact.
Another shortage lawmakers targeted sits in health care.
House Bill 567, sponsored by Katie Dempsey, authorizes licensed dentists to provide care online through teledentistry, under rules set by the Georgia Board of Dentistry.
Dental benefits plans can now cover those services.
“Geography should not be a barrier to dental care,” said Kristen Morgan of the Georgia Dental Association when the bill was signed earlier this year.
For rural communities, especially, the change could mean fewer long drives and quicker consultations.
Homeowners Gain Extra Time and Stronger Warranty Protections
Several of the new laws zero in on homeowner protections, a topic that’s gained attention as insurance costs rise and housing markets stay tight.
Senate Bill 35 gives homeowners more breathing room when it comes to insurance nonrenewal. Sponsored by Larry Walker III, the law doubles the minimum notice period for certain residential policies.
Instead of 30 days, insurers must now provide 60 days’ notice.
That extra month matters.
It gives homeowners more time to shop for coverage, compare rates, or make necessary changes before a policy expires.
Another bill, Senate Bill 112, takes aim at a common frustration for home buyers: warranties that don’t transfer.
Under the new law, manufacturer warranties for residential HVAC systems must move with the home when it’s sold. The warranty also takes effect on the date the system is installed by a licensed contractor.
Manufacturers can no longer require homeowners to register a product as a condition for coverage.
The bill was sponsored by Clint Dixon and is expected to reduce disputes after home sales.
Small print, meet sunlight.
New Rules for Cars, Tags, and Temporary Permits
Drivers will also notice changes, though some are more administrative than visual.
House Bill 551 updates how Georgia issues temporary operating permits for vehicles. The measure sets standards for a new electronic system and tightens requirements around how permits are issued and tracked.
The bill was sponsored by Jason Ridley.
Lawmakers say the changes aim to curb abuse of temporary tags, which have been linked to fraud and enforcement headaches.
There’s also a property rights angle.
Under the new law, certain property owners can install an immobilization device, commonly known as a wheel boot, on trespassing vehicles instead of immediately towing them.
Supporters call it a less aggressive option. Critics worry about misuse. Either way, it’s now legal under specific conditions.
Then there’s the new license plate.
Senate Bill 291 creates a specialty tag featuring the American flag and the words “America First.” Revenue from the plate goes into the state’s general fund.
The bill was pushed by Steve Gooch, who championed it while serving as Senate majority leader before launching a run for lieutenant governor.
Expect to see the new plate rolling out over the coming months.
Campaign Finance and Ethics Rules Get a Reset
Some of the most politically sensitive changes arrive through Senate Bill 199, which rewrites parts of Georgia’s campaign finance and ethics framework.
The bill was sponsored by Sam Watson.
Under the new law, the State Ethics Commission is barred from initiating investigations into candidates within 60 days of an election. Supporters say this prevents politically timed probes from influencing voters.
Critics argue it could delay accountability.
The law also changes how disclosures are filed.
Local elected officials must now submit mandatory financial disclosures directly to the State Ethics Commission rather than filing them locally.
Political action committees face new banking and reporting requirements, especially when contributing to candidates.
Uniform reporting dates are established for campaigns at every level of office, and home addresses will be redacted from records released to the public.
Transparency, with guardrails.
A Reminder of How Georgia Law Often Works
Most bills passed during the 2025 legislative session took effect back in July. These January laws represent a final wave, dealing with issues lawmakers wanted more time to prepare for implementation.
They don’t come with fireworks.
But they reach into real situations: buying a home, renewing insurance, visiting a dentist, running for office, or registering a car.
For residents, the changes may feel incremental.
For policymakers, they reflect how state government often operates. Piece by piece. Bill by bill. Deadline by deadline.
