New laws take effect in Florida today

July 1st is when many of Florida’s new laws take effect – and this year there are quite a few. As of today the cost of a pack of cigarettes will increase by a dollar – the money is earmarked for cancer research and Medicaid expenses. A new law making it easier to challenge the county's appraisal of your property takes effect today. That law requires that the county justify their values instead of the taxpayer having to prove the appraisal is wrong. There is a law now to monitor people who get prescription drugs from pain clinics. The state will create a database to keep track of those people, though it will likely be next year before doctors and clinics need to comply. There is a new law that makes it easier to enroll children in the Florida KidCare program by shortening the waiting period to switch from private insurance to KidCare from 6 months to 2 months. There is also a law that cuts the amount of college tuition Florida’s Bright Futures scholarship program covers. The scholarship program will no longer cover 100% of tuition expenses; students will now receive a flat scholarship between $95 to $125 per credit hour. Also beginning today, The Florida Public Service Commission will no longer have the authority to set phone rates. Phone carriers can now raise rates up to 10% a year without any oversight.