New laws, taxes going into effect in California on July 1
OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - July 1, 2019 brings with it new state laws and new state taxes. Several local taxes, tolls, fees and fares are also changing, as well as the minimum wage in some cities.
Here's a look at some changes that go into effect Monday that might affect you.
Body camera video:
Assembly Bill 748 requires body camera video and audio of police shootings and use of force incidents to be released within 45 days of the event unless it would interfere with the investigation.
This will be the first consistent policy on when police departments release video from body-worn cameras worn by officers.
The author of Assembly Bill 748, San Francisco Assemblyman Phillip Ting, will join us on-air during "The Nine" Monday to talk about the new law.
Ammunition sales:
Approved as part of Proposition 63, which voters approved in 2016, new rules for purchasing ammunition require background checks every time someone wants to purchase ammunition.
California will be the first state in the nation to implement the new law. Some people say we've only been handling half the problem, putting restrictions on gun sales but not on ammunition sales.
The Department of Justice will require a background check at check-out that will cross-reference your personal information with what is on file in DOJ's Automated Firearms System, inputted when you buy and register a gun.
Patient's Right to Know Act:
Medical providers will be required to notify patients before treating them if they have been placed on probation for serious professional misconduct involving harm to patients.
The law applies to physicians, surgeons, podiatrists, acupuncturists, chiropractors and osteopathic and naturopathic doctors.
Gas tax increase:
California's gas tax increases from 41.7 cents to 47.3 cents — that's a 5.6 cent increase per gallon of gas as the majority of Americans plan for a summer getaway, according to AAA.
California gas prices are already the highest in the nation. The money generated will be split between state and local governments, to help pay for more road and bridge repairs, as well as improvements to public transit.
This will be the latest increase from a 2017 law designed to raise about $5 billion a year for road and mass transit programs.
Marijuana convictions:
Assembly Bill 1793 requires the California Department of Justice review all marijuana convictions that would be reduced or expunged due to voters approving marijuana for recreational use in 2016. The deadline is July 1, 2019.
The offense is now legal under Proposition 64, which legalized the recreational use of marijuana. San Francisco and Los Angeles County have already expunged over 63,000 marijuana convictions.
Charter schools:
Assembly Bill 406 bans for-profit charter schools in California. As of 2018, there were only about 34 for-profit schools remaining in the state, some of which were online schools.
School meals:
Assembly Bill 1871 requires charter schools to provide low-income students with one free or reduced price meal.
About 340,000 low income students attend charter schools in California.
Golden Gate Bridge tolls:
FasTrak and carpool users will pay 35 cents more, to $7.35. The carpool rate increases from $8 to $8.35. The toll increase is part of a 5-year plan approved in March to help cover a $75 million budget gap.
Fares on the Golden Gate Ferry and the Golden Gate Transit Bus are also going up.
Tolls for some drivers will be as high as $9.75 by 2023.
SFMTA fares:
A single ride will cost you 25 cents more, to $3 if you're pay with cash or buy a limited use ticket.
For clipper card holders or those paying with the Muni app, fares will stay at $2.50.
Monthly passes on the Clipper Card will go up $3 to $81.
AC Transit fares:
Adult fares are going up 15 cents to $2.50. Children, seniors and the disabled will pay a dime more, to $1.25.
AC Transit says it will use the additional revenues to continue to provide safe and efficient service.
Minimum wage:
The minimum wage will go up in seven Bay Area cities Monday.
San Leandro increases $1 to $14. Alameda and Fremont increases to $13.50. Milpitas increases $1.50 from $13.50 to $15. Berkeley and San Francisco increases to $15.59. Emeryville increases to $16.30.
Library Late Fees:
Alameda County and Marin County libraries will no longer levy overdue book fines.
The libraries say eliminating the fines will help restore library access to tens of thousands of people, including those who need it most.
Contra Costa County, San Mateo County, Berkeley and Oakland are among the libraries that have already done away with fines.
DMV hours of operation:
The California Department of Motor Vehicles will open 53 offices an hour earlier than usual, now at 7 a.m., on four days of the week.
To see if your local DMV office is included, click here.
Local sales tax increases:
Sales taxes increase in San Mateo County, as well as in the cities of Belmont, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Mateo and South San Francisco.