Grand Canyon Times

Hundreds of new state laws took effect across the nation this week, including minimum wage increases, new internet privacy rules, gun-related regulations, marijuana legalization and new tests on whether workers can be classified as independent contractors.

In the area of gun regulations, Colorado, Hawaii and Nevada have joined other states in enacting so-called red-flag laws, which allow courts to take away firearms from people designated a danger to communities or themselves. And Illinois became to most recent state to legalize recreational use of marijuana.

In Arizona, a new vehicle-registration fee of about $32 -- set by the Arizona Department of Transportation -- will raise additional funds for the state's highway patrol. And those who receive traffic tickets will have to pay an additional $4 fee, which will fund training materials for the Arizona Department of Public Safety, according to media reports.