New California Laws in 2010

With the commencement of year 2010, new laws are taking effect in California. Below is a summary of some of the more notable laws:

AB 9 - Political Reform Act: the law defines what actions by a local government may constitute improper campaign activity.

AB 91 - the new law establishes a pilot program in Los Angeles, Alameda, Sacramento and Tulare counties, for persons convicted of DUI offenses, as a pre-condition to having their driver's license reissued, they must install an Ignition Interlock Device in vehicles owed by the offender.

AB 144 - increases penalty for fraudulent use of disabled parking placards from $100 to $1,000. Now, parking enforcement officers and police officers may issue citations.

AB 166 - the bill establishes a mechanism for owners of abandoned boats to turn them in to the authorities before them become an environmental hazard.

AB 171 - new law governs credit and loans products offered by dental offices.

AB 242 - increases penalties against dog fighting spectators.

AB 260 - aimed at protecting borrowers against abusive mortgage lending practices.

AB 303 - Hospital Seismic Safety Financing: the bill allows hospitals to use local funds and draw federal funds for earthquake safety improvement.

AB 305 - prosecutors can now seek jail sentences for polluters who make false reports concerning offshore oil spills, and the statute of limitation is increased from 1 to 5 years.

AB 329 - Reverse Mortgage Elder Protection Act: the law requires higher counselling for borrowers, including informing borrowers of the risks of using a reverse mortgage.

AB 524 - the law imposes fines ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 on publishers who publish paparazzo photos or audio recordings obtained by engaging in offensive behavior.

AB 962 - gun sellers are required to record sales of ammunitions, and to identify and fingerprint the purchasers of ammunitions.

AB 1046 - Prior California law provided homestead exemptions for bankruptcy filers in the amount of $50,000 for a single person, $75,000 for a married couple, and $150,000 for the disabled or the elderly. New California law increases these amounts to $75,000, $100,000 and $175,000, respectively.

AB 1953 - makes it illegal to sell faucets or replacement parts that contain more than one-quarter of one-percent (0.0025) lead.

SB 572 - designates May 22 in commemoration of the gay rights leader Harvey Milk.

The materials above were gathered from various sources including the Los Angeles Times, the California Highway Patrol, Yubanet and NBC. For more information run a search on Google.

Robin Mashal is a California business attorney, and a partner at the law firm of Hong & Mashal, LLP. He can be reached at (310) 286-2000.