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New state laws take effect A number of new laws took effect in Georgia July 1, 2007. The House and Senate actually passed 397 bills and 1,526 resolutions. Many of the bills signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue take effect Sunday. In an effort to make itharder for illegal immigrants to get behind the wheel of a vehicle, Georgia motorists must now obtain a valid state driver's license before they can pick up a tag. Effective July 1, doctors who perform ultrasound examinations on women seeking abortions are required to offer the patient an opportunity to view the image of the fetus and hear the heartbeat. Another new law requires doctors and other health care providers to test pregnant women for HIV unless they specifically decline the test. The process for settling annexation disputes between cities and counties was overhauled through binding arbitration, but won't really kick into gear until after Sept. 1, to give the University of Georgia time to train the arbitrators. Legislation that for the first time will allow entire school districts to become charter systems isn't expected to be fully in place before the 2007-08 school year. The law allows school systems to operate with fewer regulations with the aim to let schools break the typical public school mold and experiment. There is also a new law intended to disourage minor from smoking that makes clear that it is illegal for a minor to attempt to purchase cigarettes. Violators could be punished with 20 hours of community service. There is now a law that prohibits liquor stores from selling cups of ice, intended to discourage drinking and driving A new law will increase cable TV competition by allowing companies to get statewide franchises. Currently, local authorities regulate cable franchises. The change was aimed at letting AT&T and others get into the cable business.
Another law will limit the number of state-funded public defenders a judge can appoint to indigent suspects, a reaction to the huge legal bills run up to defend alleged courthouse killer Brian Nichols.
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