{"id":243394,"date":"2026-01-27T10:19:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T15:19:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/?p=243394"},"modified":"2026-01-27T10:19:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T15:19:12","slug":"new-georgia-laws-cellphone-bans-and-tax-relief-on-the-agenda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegeorgiasun.com\/?p=243394","title":{"rendered":"New Georgia Laws: Cellphone bans and tax relief on the agenda"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From school\u00a0cellphone bans<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0tax cuts<\/a>, some of this year\u2019s most consequential proposals for new Georgia laws have been in the works for months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State legislators laid the groundwork last year for bills that will be considered during the General Assembly\u2019s session<\/a> that began this month. About 20 study committees held public meetings across Georgia to set an initial agenda of the state\u2019s top issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that lawmakers reviewed Gov. Brian Kemp\u2019s budget proposals<\/a> last week, bills will soon be lined up for debates and votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Republicans and Democrats support limiting student cellphone use in public high schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Senate study committee recommended a \u201cbell-to-bell\u201d personal communication device ban in high schools, along with stronger parental consent laws, AI restrictions and limits on targeted advertising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are putting this report forward knowing that the giant technology companies don\u2019t want this. The Senate will be going into battle together to pass bipartisan legislation,\u201d said state Sen. Shawn Still, R-Suwanee. \u201cThere has to be a balance between profit and responsibility to protect our children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawmakers are also focused on lowering tax burdens on Georgians, highlighted by a Senate committee that sought to eliminate income taxes on the first $50,000 of income for individuals and $100,000 for couples starting in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the average family, eliminating the income tax is the equivalent of a little more than a 5% raise. That\u2019s real money that helps cover necessities today and creates a little breathing room tomorrow,\u201d said state Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a look at recommendations of several study committees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n