The body found in Oglethorpe County late last month has been identified as Kenny Jackson Jr., a GBI spokeswoman wrote in an email on Dec. 23.
Jackson, a 21-year-old from Acworth, had been missing since Nov. 19, according to multiple reports.
His body was found on Lower Wirebridge Road near Maxeys on Nov. 29.
The cause of death wasn’t released.
The investigation is ongoing, the GBI wrote in the email.
New laws take effect on Jan. 1
ATLANTA — Most new laws from this year’s legislative session took effect in July, but a handful of significant bills become law on New Year’s day.
They address shortages in accounting and dentistry, and they increase homeowner protections. They update campaign finance and vehicle licensing requirements. One adds a new look for car tags.
House Bill 148, The Public Accountancy Act of 2025, was brought by Rep. John Carson, R-Marietta, a certified public accountant trying to address a shortage of accountants. It updates a licensing framework established nearly three decades ago by offering new paths to becoming a certified public account. It also lets accounting firms do some work in Georgia without having an office in the state.
House Bill 551 updates rules for owning and operating a motor vehicle, adding numerous new requirements around the issuance of temporary operating permits and setting standards for a new electronic system for issuing them. It also lets permitted property owners install an immobilization device on trespassing vehicles rather than just having them towed.
House Bill 567 addresses regional shortages in dentistry, authorizing licensed dentists to practice online, with regulation by the Georgia Board of Dentistry. It also permits coverage of teledentistry by dental benefits plans.
Senate Bill 35 gives homeowners more time to prepare for loss of insurance. It doubles the minimum notice period for nonrenewal of certain residential policies to 60 days, from 30.
Senate Bill 112 requires that manufacturer warranties of residential HVAC systems transfer to home buyers. It also requires that warranties take effect on the date a system is installed by a licensed contractor and prohibits requiring product registration as a condition of warranty.
Senate Bill 199 prohibits the State Ethics Commission initiating investigations of candidates within 60 days of their election. It also requires that local elected officials file mandatory financial disclosures with the commission. And it requires that political action committees maintain bank accounts with detailed reporting when they contribute to candidates in the state.
America First: Senate Bill 291 establishes a special license plate featuring the American flag and the words “America First.” Funds raised from the sale of this plate will go to the state general fund.