May 25, 2013
ATLANTA (AP) -- Out-of-work Georgians will soon see their benefits slashed nearly in half and those seeking food stamps will have to pass a drug test under news laws taking effect July 1.
Gov. Nathan Deal signed more than 500 bills into law after the legislative session ended this spring. Many of those laws, as well as Georgia's 2013 budget, take effect at the start of the state's fiscal year.
Other new laws include the beginning of sweeping changes to Georgia's criminal justice system, a rule that revokes bonuses for teachers caught cheat on standardized tests, a bill eliminating the $1 charge for the optional "In God We Trust" license plate decals and legislation that will increase the number of barrels a brewpub could produce from 5,000 to 10,000.
