New State Laws in Effect

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Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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NEW FISCAL YEAR BRINGS NEW GA LAWS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A new fiscal year began Tuesday, July 1, in Georgia, and with the new year nearly 100 new state laws are now on the books.

Among the new laws is Senate Bill 79, the Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act. SB 79 raises the jail sentencing and fines for those convicted of fentanyl trafficking. Anyone arrested with 28 grams of fentanyl, roughly one ounce, faces up to 35 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.

Also, it's now legal to carry items that can test drugs for fentanyl, such as fentanyl test strips.

Another new law, SB 17, requires "panic buttons" in all public schools. Mobile panic alert systems must connect to local and state emergency systems and also contain real-time digital mapping to aid first responders.

In the area of education, another law prohibits student expulsion because of absenteeism and requires local schools to work with students who are frequently absent from class.

SB 1 prohibits transgender students in all public schools and colleges from competing on school sports teams and using locker rooms and restrooms that don’t match their gender at birth. State school officials say there are no known transgender student-athletes on school teams in Georgia.

Also approved during the past legislative session was the creation of a third Superior Court judge in the Alapaha Judicial Circuit of Atkinson, Berrien, Clinch, Cook, and Lanier counties. The Judicial Council of Georgia had ranked the circuit as the top priority for a new judgeship.

State Rep. Jaclyn Ford, R-Alapaha, sponsored the legislation.

“Coming out of my first session, I can say that I’m proud of the advances we made for the people of my district. I was excited to have my first bill passed, adding a judge to the Alapaha Judicial Circuit, and know that it will be of great benefit to the people of that circuit,” Ford said.

Not all new laws are so serious. Brunswick stew is now the official state stew, and cornbread is designated as Georgia's official state bread.

TIFTON REMINDS RESIDENTS TO REMOVE TRASH CANS FROM STREET

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Some Tifton residents recently received notices that the trash cans left in front of their homes all week needed to be moved away from the road or a citation would be issued.

Interim City Manager Larry Lawrence told the Tifton Grapevine that the notice was to remind residents of the city ordinance that states that trash carts should be removed by 11 p.m. on the resident’s collection day.

Rather than start fining residents who left trash carts in front of their homes all week, Lawrence instructed code enforcement officers to issue reminder notices to encourage compliance.

Section 66-16 of the city’s codes addresses the collection and placement of containers. It reads:

“Residential solid waste shall be collected every week from a 95-gallon cart supplied by the city or its franchisee. Solid waste carts shall be collected from all residential units utilizing solid waste carts and light commercial units one time per week. Only residential solid waste shall be placed in a solid waste cart.

“Carts shall be placed by the resident at the designated collection site by 7 a.m. on the day of collection. Each resident shall remove his cart from the curbside by 11 p.m. on the resident's collection day. If the city or its franchise fails to collect the items from a resident's cart on the regularly scheduled day of collection, the time limits in the immediately preceding sentence shall not apply for that regularly scheduled day of collection.

"However, in no event shall the cart(s) be left at street side later than 11 p.m. on the third day after the regularly scheduled day of collection, which was missed.

“This requirement may be waived for any person physically unable to place the cart(s) at the collection site. Residents must provide proof of the condition in the form of a letter from a medical doctor. Any cart placed on the curb or other designated collection site after the departure of the collection crew shall be at the peril of the owner. Containers and carts not collected as a result of not being at the designated collection site by 7 a.m. shall be collected the following regularly scheduled collection day.”

Representatives of local organizations advocating for children receive checks from the Exchange Club of Tifton through funding from the Bids for Kids auction.

TIFTON EXCHANGE CLUB AIDS CHILD ADVOCATES

Tifton Grapevine Staff Report

The Exchange Club of Tifton recently presented grants to local organizations that are on the front lines of fighting and treating child abuse in the Tifton community.

Funds for the grants were raised through the club's annual Bids for Kids auction.

Those receiving grants include Alliance for Children, Called to Care, Coastal Plain CASA, Kids Advocacy Coalition, Maggie Campbell’s Gingerbread House, The Patticake House, Peanut Butter & Jesus, The Kalos Academy, The Salvation Army, and Tift County Commission on Children & Youth.

TIFTON COUNCILMAN CROMER RECOGNIZED FOR TRAINING

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tift City Councilman Lester Cromer Jr. was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute during the awards luncheon at the recent Georgia Municipal Association convention in Savannah.

This marks the second Certificate of Recognition that the District 3 councilman has received, marking 72 hours of training completion.

The Holtz Municipal Training Institute is a continuing education program administered by the University of Georgia and designed to help city officials enhance their knowledge and skills in municipal-related matters.

COLONY BANK VP/CFO NAMED

AN 'UNDER 40' BANKING LEADER

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Derek Shelnutt, Colony Bank's executive vice president and chief financial officer, has been named one of Independent Banker magazine’s "40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders of 2025."

The award recognizes leaders across the country who are making significant contributions to the future of community banking. Shelnutt is the only Georgia banker selected for this year’s national honor.

Since joining Colony in 2020, Shelnutt aided in the bank’s growth and performance, helping guide its financial strategy as it expanded to more than $3 billion in assets.

Colony Bank said that Shelnutt has been a driving force behind several of the bank's key community initiatives, strengthening the commitment to programs that support rural healthcare, expand access to education, and provide opportunities for young adults transitioning out of foster care.

“Derek has done an outstanding job leading our financial strategy and aligning it with our purpose as a community bank,” said T. Heath Fountain, chief executive officer. “We’re proud of his achievements and are grateful to have his leadership on our executive team.”

Shelnutt is a graduate of the University of West Georgia and serves on the advisory board for the Richards College of Business, where he mentors students and encourages interest in careers in community banking.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Aetos" is Greek for eagle and is the name of this lively, eagle-eyed kitten at the Tift County Animal Shelter. He purrs immediately upon being picked up and is ready for a game of chase-the-feather cat toy. Consider adopting him or his partners and save them from a life sentence in a shelter cage. Visit Aetos and see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

ALL 3 GA STATE PATROL CARS

IN TIFTON GET TWO-WAY RADIOS

~ JULY 1, 1948

On July 1, 1948, a new two-way radio unit was being installed in patrol cars at the Tifton Post of the Georgia State Patrol. Officials said the two-way radios will "greatly facilitate the work the patrol." All three patrol cars at the Tifton post were getting the two-way radios.

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