New Year, New Laws!

New year, new laws.

It’s 2018, which means we have a whole bunch of new laws kicking in on both the state and federal level this year.

Let’s go over a handful of them, shall we?

First up, pot. It’s officially legal for recreational use in California now. Fox News estimates this will become a “$3.7 billion business” this year. It’ll boost California’s economy, and the state will benefit tax revenue wise, which is awesome for them. Now they’ll be have even MORE money available to support illegal aliens! Way to go Cali!

Next up, minimum wage. A number of states are adjusting it.

Unlike the federal rate that’s staying put at $7.25, 10 states will phase-in pay bumps that will eventually hit the $15 per hour mark while workers in eight states – Alaska, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio and South Dakota – will see annual cost-of-living adjustments.

The minimum wage jumps by 50 cents in California. Employees at companies with 26 or more workers will be paid at least $11 per hour. Businesses with less than 25 employees will be paid $10.50 per hour.

New Yorkers will also see an increase. On Long Island and in Westchester County, the minimum wage rises $1 to $11 per hour. In Manhattan, the minimum wage for employers with 10 or fewer workers rises to $12 from $10.50. For employers with 11 or more workers, the minimum wage jumps to $13 per hour from $11.

Next– gun laws!

California’s 6 million gun owners won’t be able to buy bullets online and have them shipped to their homes. A new rule requires purchasers to pick up their orders in person from a licensed vendor. The state is also clamping down on gifting assault weapons. Another new state law also prohibits people convicted of a hate crime from possessing a gun for 10 years.

In Tennessee, members of the U.S. military will be allowed to forgo the firing-range portion of the training requirement to obtain a handgun carry permit if he or she can prove they passed small-arms or combat-pistol training while serving.

In addition, Texas will start allowing licensed gun owners to carry handguns openly in most public places.

Speaking of Texas, it has some new voter ID laws kicking in too. It’s loosening ’em up.

Voters in the Lone Star State will be able to cast a ballot without a photo ID if they can show they have a “reasonable impediment” to getting one. In West Virginia, there will be more options on the types of IDs accepted at polling stations. Voters will be able to show traditional forms like drivers’ licenses and passports but will also be able to use non-photo IDs like bank debit cards, utility bills and concealed carry permits.

Here are some more random laws you should probably know about, via Fox News. It’s all over the map.

Kids caught sexting in Colorado will be subjected to a range of punishments including lengthy lectures and courses on the consequences of sharing nude pics online to being charged with a misdemeanor. In severe circumstances, they could be charged with sexual exploitation.

Domestic violence victims in Illinois will soon be able to break their cell phone contracts. The new law also lets survivors keep their phone numbers and save money on related costs for a new account when they leave their abusers.

If the cops catch someone using a handheld cell phone in a school zone in Tennessee, they will be charged with a class C misdemeanor and fined $50.

In 2018, pets will be elevated in status in Illinois. Dogs, cats and other four-legged fur babies will be fair game in custody battles. Judges will be instructed to take into consideration what is best for the animal during divorce proceedings.

Custody battles over pets! Judges will actually have to consider what’s best for the pooch, as if it were a child. Wild.

Also, s/o to Oregon for sucking.

Oregon is looking to cash in on bike riders in 2018. Bicycle buyers will have to pay a flat $15 fee for each bike they buy that costs more than $200. Businesses will collect the cash during the sale of the bike and turn it over to the state every quarter. Oregon will also bump up its gas tax by four cents per gallon in January. Vehicle registration fees will jump by $13.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

So many new laws. SO MANY.

h/t Fox News