New Arizona laws signed by Governor Jan Brewer are in effect this week. They include increasing the interest rate pawnbrokers can charge from 8 to 13 percent for the first two months and from 6 to 11 percent a month after that. Health inspectors are now allowed unannounced inspections of abortion clinics, the same right they have over all other health facilities. It is now a misdemeanor to point a laser at an occupied aircraft, not just police helicopters. It is now a crime to provide someone the means to commit suicide.

A new law ups the consequences of revenge porn, where a compromising photo is posted online after a relationship ends. There are also changes to laws dealing with those who operate watercraft while under the influence of alcohol. All existing references in state law to “handicapped” have been replaced with “persons with disabilities.” State emergency officials have now been mandated to prepare recommendations for how people should be ready for an electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear device that would paralyze the power grid.

More laws in effect include:

• Allowing golf carts in age-restricted communities in Maricopa County to be driven on the paved shoulder of a road;
• Lowering the state taxes on cider made from pears;
• Allowing beer aficionados to use refillable half-gallon-size “growlers” made of any clean material to take home draft beers, ending the requirement to use only glass;
• Requiring counties of at least 150,000 that now have three supervisors to put the question of expanding the board to five on the next general election ballot;
• Declaring city and town council seats vacant if the council member no longer resides in the community;
• Exempting manufacturers and smelters from having to pay state sales taxes on electricity and natural gas they purchase;
• Creating a new tax credit for investment in renewable energy sources if the power will be used for manufacturing;
• Expanding eligibility for a voucher-like program to let certain children use tax dollars to attend private and parochial schools.

Read more: http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2014/07/24/az-new-laws-go-into-effect-today/#ixzz38UlsyVGf