Are you breaking these new laws?

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Besides the new driving laws that are now on the books, several other new state laws took effect August 1:

Caucus dates: Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Republican party officials can pick the caucus date. If they cannot agree, the first Tuesday in February will be when caucuses are held in general election years.

Truth in music: A musical group posing as another group is illegal. A group using a name must have at least one member of the original group.

Smoke damages: Anyone who causes damage by smoking in a non-smoking hotel or motel room is breaking the law and may be forced to pay damages.

Internet tickets: Ticket resellers no longer can use computers to snap up tickets so the public cannot buy them online.

Dog fight penalties: Not only are owners of dogs who fight committing a crime, now spectators who pay to see dogs fight are, too.

Police arms: It is a felony to try to disarm a law enforcement officer.

Bad dogs: Owners of dangerous dogs will be required to purchase $300,000 bonds and anyone who repeatedly has been convicted of dangerous dog crimes cannot own a dog.

Global warming: Producers and purchasers of gases with a high “global warming potential” must report data on their sales and use to the Pollution Control Agency.

No ambulance chasing: Health care professionals cannot solicit business from traffic accident victims.

Good faith: An insurance policyholder may sue the insurance company for not settling a claim in “good faith.”

Flood insurance: Insurance companies must annually tell their customers whether their homeowners' policies include flood coverage.

Public information: Willful violations of the Data Practices Act by a government carries a penalty of up to $15,000.

Open meetings: Even governmental meetings closed to the public must be recorded.

Military families: In some instances, military families cannot be fired for attending military events.

Tinted windows: A motorist must have a doctor's prescription to tint some vehicle windows.

Move over: Drivers must move a lane over when passing freeway service patrol, road maintenance and construction vehicles parked or stopped on a roadway.

Source: House Public Information Office

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