More than 100 new Georgia laws take effect Wednesday, touching nearly every area of state government and daily life — from a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in K-8 classrooms to new rules for HOAs, school-zone speed cameras, and the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget.
Here’s a look at the most consequential changes Georgians will see:
Schools
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade will be subject to a “bell-to-bell” ban on cellphones, smart watches and other personal electronic devices beginning Wednesday. High school students will face the same restrictions next school year. Many districts have already implemented creative storage solutions; the new law sets a statewide floor.
HOA reform
A package of bills increases transparency for Georgia’s homeowners associations, requiring more detailed financial disclosures and clearer rules for board meetings. HOAs will also face new limits on fines and on the circumstances under which they can place liens on member properties.
School-zone speed cameras
HB 651 rewrites how school-zone speed cameras can be used and enforced. Prosecutors — district attorneys, solicitors and state-court prosecutors — will be able to enforce civil monetary penalties tied to recorded images of school-zone speeding. The law also clarifies the court process for camera-based citations.
FY27 budget
HB 974 funds Georgia state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The $66 billion spending plan includes pay raises for teachers and state employees, expanded funding for K-12 schools, and new investments in mental-health services and rural broadband.
Public safety
HB 483 creates stronger criminal penalties for assaults against code enforcement officers while performing their duties. HB 668 increases penalties for harming or interfering with service dogs and makes it illegal to falsely claim an animal is a service dog.
Business and consumer protection
HB 987 creates a voluntary system that allows independent contractors to receive benefits such as health or retirement contributions through portable benefit accounts without changing their employment status. HB 1470 creates legal remedies aimed at discouraging abusive lawsuits over website accessibility claims.
Food and drugs
HB 117 requires new labeling for imported shrimp sold in Georgia.
Entertainment
HB 455 expands where bingo games can be held, increases the amount of prize money that can be awarded, and limits how many bingo sessions can be held each day and month.
For a full list of the new laws taking effect Wednesday, Georgians can search the General Assembly’s website at legis.ga.gov.
