PHOENIX β Beginning Friday, Jan. 1, buyers of solar equipment for their homes will get new consumer protections, survivors of first responders can get a vehicle registered for free, and those who bury courts in legally meaningless filings will have to pay their own way.
These are some of the new state laws taking effect on New Yearβs Day.
Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, said she sponsored the measure about residential solar systems amid concerns that companies were being less than honest with homeowners in describing the costs and benefits of systems.
Now, merchants and installers have to spell out in writing the cost over the life of the agreement. Buyers and lessees also would have to be told whether the new devices will result in higher property taxes.
Other provisions include:
- Disclosing limits on the ability to transfer ownership of the system to someone buying the house.
- Providing a summary of operating, maintenance and financing costs.
- Detailing the expected energy output over the life of the system.
Fallen heroesβ families get pass on vehicle fees
Also taking effect is the measure that spells out that the survivors of any police officer, firefighter or βemergency responderβ killed in the line of duty need not pay the license tax or registration fee on their vehicles.
That covers surviving spouses, at least until they remarry. A dependent younger than 18 also is eligible, with that limit going through age 22 if the person is a full-time student.
Measure aims to curb βvexatious litigantsβ
The new law on βvexatious litigantsβ is a bit more complex.
In 2014 lawmakers approved a measure aimed at people who represent themselves who file repeated court actions largely to harass others, unreasonably delay court proceedings or bring actions without βsubstantial justification.β It permitted judges to tell these people they cannot file new lawsuits or motions without first getting consent of the court.
Current law requires courts to impose fees and costs when new lawsuits are filed as well as for those who file pleadings as defendants.
But it also mandates that judges have to defer those fees for those who are needy, and waive them entirely if there is proof an applicant will never be able to pay.
Now, judges are forbidden from waiving fees and costs for anyone designated a vexatious litigant. The only exception would be in family court cases.
Other laws taking effect include:
- Expanding the existing statutes to protect people against identity theft.
- Permitting a judge to order a defendant to perform community restitution if that person is unable to pay restitution or incarceration costs.
- Requiring physiciansβ assistants to renew their license every two years rather than annually.
