New laws for Georgia, effective Jan. 1

A number of new laws are now in effect in Georgia.

The new laws, passed during last year’s legislative session and signed by Governor Nathan Deal went into effect on Monday.

Among them is House Bill 340 which overhauls how leased vehicles are taxed.

In the past, people who leased their cars paid a higher property tax than those who own their vehicles.  But as of January first, those who lease cars now have to pay the same  7% sales tax rate as those who own.

Under House Bill 146, local fire departments must now provide a lump sum to any firefighter diagnosed with certain types of cancer and up to three years of disability to firefighters who cannot work because of injury of illness.

Firefighters also can receive special health insurance plans to cover expenses from work-related cancers.

And another new law that went into effect Monday has to do with getting your teeth cleaned.

HB 154: Also in 2018, Licensed dental hygienists will be able to perform certain functions such as: remove calcareous deposits, secretions, and stains from the surfaces of the teeth, and apply ordinary wash or washes.

They can perform these acts under general supervision meaning that a licensed dentist is not required to be present while these duties are being performed.

Finally, the Music Investment Act went into effect on Monday.

Under House Bill 155, a 15 percent tax incentive will be given to production companies with a live performance of $500,000, $250,000 for stand-alone scoring projects, and $100,000 for recorded music performances.

Lawmakers hope the tax incentive will bring more music projects and concerts to the State and provide more jobs.