July 1 marks the start of not only Georgia's new fiscal year, but the beginning of several new state laws.

Governor Nathan Deal signed 500 bills into law after the legislative session ended this spring.

Many of those laws, as well as Georgia's 2013, budget will take effect Sunday.

To start, more Georgia businesses will be required to electronically check their workers' legal status, by using E-Verify.

E-Verify is an online federal work authorization program that helps ensure new hires are eligible to work in the U.S.  It applies to businesses with at least 100, but fewer than 500 employees.

Georgia Department of Labor records show more than 5,600 employers of that size doing business across the state. Larger companies were required to begin using the program Jan. 1.

The state immigration law says companies with more than 10 but fewer than 100 workers will have to start using E-Verify a year from now on July 1, 2013.

The new laws will also effect out of work Georgians. Their benefits will be slashed nearly in half and those seeking food stamps will have to pass a drug test, taking effect July 1st.

Other new laws include the beginning of sweeping changes to Georgia's criminal justice system.

Also a rule that revokes bonuses for teachers caught cheating on standardized tests will take effect. And a bill eliminating the $1 charge for the optional "In God We Trust" license plate decals also becomes active.