New Laws for Everyone

Motorists, taxpayers, homeowners, renters, smokers, welfare recipients, criminals, schoolchildren and teachers are all affected by one or more of California’s 959 new laws. Almost all of the bills passed by the Legislature in 1997 and signed into law by Gov. Pete Wilson went into effect Thursday, unless two-thirds of the Legislature voted for a more urgent path. And since the 1997 session turned out to be one of extraordinary productivity, the effect on citizens is greater than usual.

One of the most broadly felt new laws was actually passed in 1996, a measure to deregulate the electric power industry. The effective date of the law was delayed to allow time for the complex conversion to a competitive market. The part that most affects consumers, a 10% rate cut for customers of private utilities, went into effect Thursday, even though most of the deregulation was delayed a few more months because of computer problems. Consumers ultimately will pay for the rate cut, since it is financed by long-term bonds.

There is good news for taxpayers, though their gratification will not be immediate. The $1-billion tax cut approved last year goes into effect now, but it will not be reflected in payroll withholding this year. Most taxpayers will not realize the cut until they submit their 1998 state income tax returns early in 1999.

The clock also starts ticking on welfare recipients to work their way into jobs or lose their benefits. The new welfare reform law provides that no one can be on welfare for more than a total of five years. Welfare to new applicants will be limited to 18 months in any single stretch.

Motorists need to be far more careful this year. The fine for running a red light has risen from $104 to $270. And drivers will have to stop more often for school buses. Bus operators now must flash their red lights whenever they are letting students on or off rather than just when passengers are crossing the street. Cars must stop in all cases.

There already has been considerable attention to the new law that bans smoking in bars and card clubs. Other laws further reduce school class sizes, cut tuition by 5% at the University of California, California State University and the community colleges and impose tough new sentences on criminals who use a gun in the commission of a crime.

Finally, here’s one that should help soothe some nerves: It’s now the law that a car can be towed away if its alarm sounds for more than 20 minutes. Up to now, it could howl for as long as 45 minutes. Under another new law, Californians such as those who have trouble hearing their car alarms can legally have wax cleared from their ears by a licensed audiologist rather than a doctor.