New State Laws In Georgia for 2026

Atlanta, GA – As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Day, Georgia ushered in a broad set of new laws approved during the 2025 legislative session. While many took effect earlier in 2025, nearly 20 important laws became enforceable on January 1, 2026, touching everyday life from how homes are sold to how cars are registered, how taxes are paid, and how government operates.

HVAC Warranties Transfer Automatically
A new law now requires any manufacturer warranty on an HVAC system to automatically transfer to a new homeowner when a home is sold — no extra forms, no surprise gaps in coverage. Warranties still only cover whatever time is left, and manufacturers can’t make you register the equipment to keep coverage.

Catastrophe Savings Accounts
Georgia taxpayers can now open catastrophe savings accounts with favorable tax treatment. These accounts are designed to help cover disaster-related costs like insurance deductibles, offering state tax deductions and tax-free growth — a boost for homeowners in high-risk weather areas.

Electronic Temporary Operating Permits
Under House Bill 551, Georgia is modernizing how temporary operating permits are issued. The law establishes standards for a new digital system that lets vendors issue temporary tags more efficiently and securely.

Other Tag Updates
The Georgia Department of Revenue will also roll out new specialty license plates — including ones with patriotic themes — with revenue going into the state’s general fund.

Ethics Investigations Timeline Limits
Under Senate Bill 199, the Georgia State Ethics Commission can’t initiate an investigation into a candidate within 60 days of an election — a change aimed at preventing last-minute political disruption. It also centralizes financial disclosures by requiring local officials to file them with the state commission.

Training for Local Candidates
Some laws now require county and school board candidates to confirm they’ve completed legally mandated training to run for office — raising the bar for local public servants.

Distraction-Free Education Act
Georgia public schools (K-8) must now adopt policies restricting personal electronic device use — such as cell phones — during school hours and at school events, helping reduce in-class distractions.

Telehealth Services Expanded
The state has legalized or expanded teledentistry, enabling patients in rural or underserved areas to consult with dentists remotely — a boost for access to basic dental care.

Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics
Health insurance policies in Georgia now must cover medically necessary orthotic and prosthetic devices, expanding benefits for people with limb loss or mobility needs.

Digital Court Recordings
Georgia courts are adopting “digital recording” systems to improve efficiency, reduce paperwork, and help with accurate record-keeping in legal proceedings.

Waste-Related and Licensing Reforms
Several technical changes to state agencies and professional licenses are also in place, reducing regulatory burdens and modernizing processes for workers such as accountants and dentists.

What This Means for Georgians

Together, these changes represent a practical shift toward modernization, consumer protections, and streamlined governance:

• Homebuyers now get better warranty protections and financial tools to manage risks.
• Motorists benefit from digital efficiency and new plate options.
• Voters and candidates face more predictable election-season ethics rules.
• Students and families see updated school policies on device use.
• Healthcare and court systems are adapting to broader technology and access trends.

As these laws take hold in 2026, their real-world impacts will continue to unfold across neighborhoods, workplaces, and civic life throughout Georgia.