Our Arizona-based law firm continues to bring added value to our clients by introducing them to the latest information, insights, news and advice from leading media sources and authorities about today’s business world. Our Harrison Law LinkedIn business page gives us the opportunity to post links to articles from these informative sources. We also want to spotlight some of these articles by summarizing them on our blog. Today’s highlighted article, from CNB, is entitled, “Wave of New Laws to Take Effect in 2020: Electric Cars, Data Privacy, Taxes & More.”
The article calls attention to a variety of laws to be introduced in a number of states this year. While some of these laws may not affect Arizona businesses or residents directly, businesses that engage in interstate commerce should definitely acquaint themselves with them. The indirect effects of these laws may also have an impact on your business in 2020.
Electric vehicle owners in four states will face some new charges as their governments seek to make up for the revenue they would normally receive from gasoline taxes. The charges will range from $50 in Hawaii and $100 in Kansas to $200 in Alabama and Ohio. At least eight states will impose new or increased registration fees for electric vehicles, meaning that most U.S. states will now impose some kinds of electric-vehicle fees in their efforts to bring new revenue to their infrastructure support. (The article goes on to present examples of some of the specific fees in question.)
New gun laws, as well as laws regarding the use of deadly force by police, are being introduced in 2020. In Colorado, a “red flag” law will permit individuals or law enforcement officers to pursue a court order removing guns from people deemed a threat to themselves or others for up to 364 days. In California, police are now allowed to use deadly force only when necessary to prevent death or serious injury, not out of “reasonable fear” for their safety as the law previously defined.
Health-related laws for 2020 include new legislation in California for the oversight of doctors who exempt schoolchildren from vaccinations. Seven states (including Arizona) will also require electronic prescriptions for controlled substances, including opioids.
In the world of tax law, Massachusetts is reducing its state income tax rate, while Missouri is reducing its corporate income tax rate. For Washington workers, that state has rolled out a new paid family leave law for 2020, with four other states passing similar laws that will go into effect within the next few years.
This article emphasizes some new privacy laws slated to go into effect in California in 2020. Many companies will now be required to tell their customers and clients what kinds of data they’re collecting about them, how that data may be used, and who else may have access to the collected data. (No data on children aged 16 or under may be collected without consent.) Customers will have the right to ask companies not to retain or share their data. California also joins Oregon and New Hampshire in forbidding the use of facial recognition programs in police body cameras. Meanwhile, Illinois employers will have to ask job applicants for consent before using AI to interpret their facial and body motions in self-recorded video interviews.
This article is available for viewing in its entirety here. HERE is the first installment of our most recent LinkedIn Spotlight Series. The second installment is HERE, and HERE is the third. Keep watching our LinkedIn page for future posts with links to insightful articles.
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This website and article have been prepared by Harrison Law, PLLC for informational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
