A slate of new Georgia laws will take effect at the start of 2026, impacting areas ranging from consumer protections and insurance regulations to elections, waste management, and professional licensing. The measures were approved during the 2025 legislative session and officially begin January 1 unless noted otherwise.
One of the most far-reaching changes is the Georgia Courts Access and Consumer Protection Act, which creates new regulations for litigation financing — the practice in which third-party companies pay legal expenses in return for a portion of any future settlement. The law sets new requirements aimed at increasing transparency and consumer protections within the industry.
Under Georgia Act 285, warranties on HVAC systems will now automatically transfer to new homeowners when a house is sold. The warranty period will begin on the installation date, and manufacturers will be prohibited from requiring consumer registration for the warranty to remain valid. This change applies to all HVAC units sold beginning January 2, 2026.
Another measure, Georgia Act 259, updates state law regarding solid waste facilities by removing outdated definitions and eliminating the Board of Natural Resources’ authority to set rules for tracking or handling “special solid waste.” Individuals or companies seeking to build or modify waste facilities will now be required to show proof that their projects comply with local zoning and land-use regulations.
Courtroom procedures will also see a modernization under Georgia Act 23, which authorizes certain court hearings to be recorded digitally rather than exclusively by court reporters.
A major omnibus election bill, Georgia Act 293, revises several areas of campaign oversight and election administration. Under the new law, the State Ethics Commission is barred from initiating investigations of candidates within 60 days of an election. Local officials must now send campaign and finance reports directly to the commission. Candidates for county offices and school boards will be required to prove they have completed all mandatory training before qualifying. Political action committees must register with the state, maintain a dedicated bank account, and submit more detailed financial reports. The commission is also required to remove candidates’ home addresses from public documents.
The state is shifting oversight of behavioral health and substance-abuse programs under Georgia Act 44, transferring responsibility from the Department of Community Health to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Several consumer-facing insurance changes are also included in the 2026 rollouts. Georgia Act 277 doubles the notice period insurance companies must give homeowners when a policy is not being renewed, extending it from 30 days to 60 days. Under Georgia Act 303, health insurers must provide callback or online scheduling systems so physicians can arrange consultation calls without long wait times. The Act also requires insurers to implement performance-review programs for healthcare providers and scale back certain prior-authorization requirements.
Vehicle registration processes will change under Georgia Act 272, which authorizes third-party companies to create and issue temporary license plates. The law also requires anyone engaged in vehicle booting to obtain a permit and prohibits registering vehicles under shell companies to avoid taxes.
The Georgia Public Accountancy Act of 2025 updates the pathways to becoming a certified public accountant in the state, broadening available credentialing methods.
In the medical field, Georgia Act 79 permits dentists to offer teledentistry services under defined conditions.
Finally, Georgia Act 124 revises Georgia’s film and entertainment tax credit system. The law authorizes the Department of Economic Development to administer the application process and charge processing fees. Production companies that appeal a denial of tax-credit certification and lose will now be responsible for all related court costs.
Together, the new laws represent a broad set of policy changes shaping consumer protection, healthcare, local governance, economic development, and regulatory oversight across Georgia in the year ahead.
