SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Several new California laws take effect Thursday, as July 1 marks the start of the state’s new fiscal year.
One of the biggest changes is paying slightly more at the gas pump. California has the highest gas tax in the country, now it goes up another .06 cents.
That now brings up the state’s gas tax to more than 51 cents per gallon. The gas tax was signed back in 2017 and goes up each year to help fund road and bridge repairs.
One of the most recent projects the state saw that was funded with the tax fund was the State Route 99 bridge project that closed the highway from 47th Avenue to the U.S. 50 connector for four days. State Republican leaders say the increase will cost drivers in the state and extra $83 million.
The gas tax isn’t the only change July 1 brings; there are new laws going into effect.
Among them is a measure expanding California’s ban on buying more than one handgun in a 30-day period to include semiautomatic centerfire rifles. That includes some rifles that meet California’s definition of an assault rifle.
Then a big new law for student loan borrowers goes into effect. It appoints someone to advocate for and investigate complaints from borrowers faced with predatory practices.
Laura’s Law, a 2002 measure that allows judges to require intensive mental health outpatient treatment, becomes permanent. To qualify a person must have a serious mental illness and recent history of psychiatric hospitalizations, incarceration or violent behavior.
Also going into effect today, the state's three prisons for juveniles stop accepting new admissions and will close in 2023.
Plus portions of two laws designed to help homeowners who lose property in wildfires during states of emergency take effect, including provisions for coverage of living expenses.
To read the full article from the Associated Press, click HERE.
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