Get ready for lots of new laws

Utahns will have 300 new laws to obey Monday as the major works of the 2007 Legislature officially take effect. The laws go into effect at 12:01 a.m.

Many of the new laws apply only to state government, or make technical changes to existing statutes.

But dozens of others make major alterations to current statute or impose new laws, fines or fees that could affect the lives of thousands of Utahns.

For instance, two new private school voucher laws take effect — laws that continue to be controversial. The main voucher law may well be subject to a recall by voters.

Still, some of the major bills passed by the 2007 general session await another day for implementation.

For example, a $220 million tax cut, both in income and sales taxes, takes effect Jan. 1, 2008.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. vetoed no bills or resolutions that passed the 2007 Legislature — an oddity not seen in decades. So every bill passed by lawmakers will become law sooner or later.

Here are a few of the new laws taking effect that may well impact your life:

• Those under 18 years of age must get parental consent before they can tan in a commercial tanning salon. Parents also must say how many times their child can visit the tanning establishment.

• Students must have parental permission to participate in a public school club, and parents must be told what the club's goals and activities are.

• The new "Life Elevated" license plates become available, but you can still get the old "Ski Utah" plates until they run out.

• Drivers using the far left lane on a multilane highway must get out of the way if a faster-traveling vehicle pulls up behind them. However, "tailgating" is still taboo. You have to stay two seconds behind the car in front of you. And you must use your turn signal for two seconds before changing lanes.

• It's a class C misdemeanor to claim you were awarded a military service medal when in fact you were not.

• A new cervical cancer awareness and vaccine information campaign begins.

• The municipal primary election is moved from October to September. This year the primary is Sept. 11.

• A new offense of disruptive student behavior becomes effective. Disruptive students can be referred to juvenile court.

• People using an electric personal movement device, such as a wheelchair or Segway, can use any trail or route open to a bicycle.

• Citizens can't spit on a police or jail officer. Heavy penalties can be imposed if the spitter knows he is HIV-positive or carries some other communicable disease.

• It's a class A misdemeanor to videotape a theatrical movie.

• Smokers can still light up in fraternal organizations, such as an Elks club, until January 2009.