Many new laws in effect today

A raft of new laws takes affect in Utah Saturday, most notably the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Other laws require registration stickers on all off-highway vehicles and a statewide database for pawnshops.

The voter-approved constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage is the most prominent among a handful of Utah laws with a Jan. 1 effective date.

Another constitutional amendment lets state universities take stock in companies spun off from school research. A third approved amendment allows the Legislature to call itself into special session to impeach a governor, other executive branch officer or judge.

The marriage amendment defines marriage as being between a man and a woman only. It blocks the state from recognizing any other union, which could cause problems. At least one legislator says he will file a bill to give end-of-life decisionmaking and inheritance rights to couples of common law marriage, who never got married but have some rights and responsibilities under other laws and court rulings.

Other laws kicking in Saturday will require registration stickers on all off-highway vehicles, establish a statewide database for pawnshops, impose police reporting requirements to aid in investigation of stolen merchandise, and modify voter registration forms to require an applicant to swear they are a citizen and legal resident of the state.