New Laws Go into Effect in Georgia on Jan. 1

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Georgia is ringing in the new year with a wave of legislative changes set to reshape key aspects of life across the state. Beginning January 1, 2025, new laws will take effect, introducing updates to tax policies, election processes, and education that promise to leave a lasting impact on residents. From boosting accountability in tax spending to restructuring election management and expanding educational opportunities through school vouchers, these changes mark a significant shift in the state’s governance.

Whether you’re a parent navigating new education options, a voter adjusting to updated election rules, or a taxpayer monitoring financial transparency, these laws are poised to influence the way Georgians live and engage with their communities. Starting January 1, 2025, Georgia will see several new laws come into effect, impacting tax policies, election processes, and education:

Tax Policies: Senate Bill 366 enhances transparency and oversight of tax expenditures. It mandates at least 12 economic analyses annually, focusing on those expiring soon or costing over $20 million. This aims to improve accountability in Georgia’s tax system12.

Election Processes: Senate Bill 212 restructures election management by replacing probate court judges with dedicated county boards of elections. This change aims to streamline and standardize election administration across the state12.

Education: The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act (Senate Bill 233) introduces school vouchers, providing up to $6,500 per student for private school tuition or other educational expenses. This is available to students in the lowest-performing 25% of schools12.

Voting Registration for the Homeless: A new section of the election law requires homeless individuals to use their county’s election office for election-related mail, which has sparked legal challenges

SOURCE: 11 Alive