8 New Georgia Laws In 2020 That Could Impact Your Life

GEORGIA — When you wake up in the new year, new laws will be taking effect in Georgia.

The most notable bill that was set to go into law on Jan. 1, HB 481 which is commonly referred to as the Heartbeat Bill, was blocked in October by a federal judge. The bill is now in a holding pattern until court challenges to the new law make their way through the nation's judicial system.

See more: Here's What's Next For 'Heartbeat Bill' After Judge's Ruling

Here are eight of the most significant and interesting changes to laws that will be going into effect on Wednesday. See what's coming your way on Jan. 1, 2020.

• HB 70: This bill will amend Georgia code related to guardian and ward, to revise provisions relating to guardians and conservators of minors and adults.
• HB 201: This bill is related to waters of the state, ports, and watercraft. It will authorize the Board of Natural Resources to promulgate rules and regulations regarding anchoring certain vessels within estuarine areas of the state; and authorize the Department of Natural Resources to establish anchorage areas. It will also amend portions of state code related to coastal marshlands.
• HB 233: This bill will create the Pharmacy Anti-Steering and Transparency Act. It will prohibit pharmacies from engaging in certain practices; require pharmacies to file an annual disclosure statement; provide for violations; provide for limited liability; provide for statutory construction; provide for related matters; and repeal conflicting laws.
• HB 288: This bill will revise the sums that the clerks of the superior courts are entitled to charge and collect for filing documents and instruments pertaining to real estate or personal property. It will also provide for a flat sum structure and repeal certain related alternative fees.
• HB 323: This bill will be focused on regulation and licensure of pharmacy benefits managers, including provisions related to administration of claims by pharmacy benefit managers; and revise prohibited activities of pharmacy benefits managers.
• HB 367: This bill will create the Corporate Governance Annual Disclosure Act. It will provide for the reporting of corporate governance structure; including providing enforcement authority, confidentiality and applicability.
• HB 478: This bill will provide improvements to the operation of the child abuse registry, including definitions, notice of abuse allegations, reporting abuse cases to DFACS office, and hearing on expungement of name from registry.
• HB 507: This bill is related to ad valorem taxation of property, to revise the criteria used by tax assessors to determine the fair market value of real property.