New rules take effect in California

[tabatha]

In 2010, hundreds of new rules will be enforced. Among them, a ban on shortening cows' tails; a $20,000 fine for human trafficking; and tougher penalties for mortgage fraud and watching dogfights.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-new-laws1-2010jan01,0,5818862.story?track=rss

Some notables:

Delta restoration: Creates a new Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy to oversee restoration of the failing delta ecosystem. Sets goals of "providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the delta ecosystem." Part of the larger water package.

Gay marriage: Recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other states before California voters banned gay marriage in 2008 by approving Proposition 8.

Hanging nooses: Makes it a misdemeanor to hang a noose, "knowing it to be a symbol representing a threat to life," in order to terrorize a person who lives, works or attends school at the property where the noose is hung. The law is in response to a series of incidents at California colleges.

High-speed rail: Requires the state's High-Speed Rail Authority to prepare, publish and adopt a business plan by Jan. 1, 2012, and every two years thereafter, so the public knows how its money is being spent.

Mortgage crimes: Creates a new offense, "mortgage fraud," punishable by up to a year in prison. Such crimes are defined as those in which someone makes "any misstatement, misrepresentation or omission during the mortgage lending process with the intention that it be relied on by a mortgage lender, borrower, or any other party to the mortgage lending process."

[Cleita]

1. Thanks tabatha.

K&R

[depakid]

2. Woo hoo- more new and creative ways to pack California's prisons!

[tabatha]

3. Mortgage fraud should go unpunished?

[depakid]

5. There are already laws on this

both in California and on the federal level.

[kestrel91316]

4. Another much-appreciated new law is the ban on use of trans fats

by restaurants and bakeries. I think the bakeries hav a little more time.

[virgogal]

6. Sad !!! I love foods with trans fats and make sure I eat them

at least once a week.

[depakid]

7. Good- you can keep the Darwin award- and the rest of us with better sense

will all stay healthier!

[virgogal]

8. Hey,I've made it to 77 eating that way----not overweight and

healthy.

You can keep your Darwin award for someone else.

[kestrel91316]

9. Well, trans fats are not remotely "food" and should never have been legal

in the first place. Best thing I ever did was stop consuming them (gradually, starting 30 years ago).

[JI7]

10. i think it's ok in moderation, like alcohol

[blues90]

11. Do we get the new rule book because it's difficult to keep track

I have been relying on common sense to stay alive.