One of the new laws that will go into effect Jan. 1 include one that was signed here in Malibu, making California the first state to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
By Jonathan Friedman / Assistant Editor
The landmark bill to fight global warming, AB 32, will go into effect in 2007. The legislation, written by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez and signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at two ceremonies in San Francisco and Pepperdine University in Malibu, calls for California to reduce greenhouse emissions 25 percent by 2020.
The law requires the state Air Resources Board by July 1 to begin implementing a program to meet the greenhouse emissions reduction goal. With AB 32, California has become the first state to limit greenhouse emissions.
Another new law going into effect next year is a raise to the state’s minimum wage. On Jan. 1, California’s minimum wage workers will see hourly pay go up from $6.75 to $7.25.
The governor, who had previously vetoed legislation that sought to increase the minimum wage, signed AB 1835 into law this year. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Sally Lieber, calls for a two-step process to raise the amount to $8 per hour. The second increase will take place on Jan. 1, 2008.
Another major legislation approved this year, the banning of hand-held telephone use while driving, will not go into effect until July 1, 2008.
Meanwhile, other laws going into effect on Jan 1. include: a requirement for public school students to have a dental examination when they enter kindergarten or first grade unless the parents object; penalties for tethering dogs for long periods of time or leaving them unattended in vehicles; a requirement for landlords to give 60 days notice before evicting month-to-month tenants who have lived in the home for at least a year; and the ability for domestic partners to file joint income tax returns. Also going into effect is the law that allows telephone companies to obtain state franchises rather than having to negotiate with cities, so that they can break into the cable market.
Also going into effect on Jan. 1: Persons who take more than 25 copies of a free newspaper for any purpose other than to read them will be subject to a fine of up to $250, and possible jail time for repeat offenders.