4:16The Hawaii State Capitol building located in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii.STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images
As the year 2026 approaches, new legislation addressing artificial intelligence, healthcare, climate issues, and various other sectors is poised to come into effect nationwide.
Here are six significant examples of these new laws.
Hawaii: A ‘Green Fee’ tax for hotel and cruise visitors to support climate initiatives
In Hawaii, a forthcoming law will raise or introduce specific taxes on tourists staying in hotels, vacation rentals, and cruise ships to fund climate and environmental programs.
This legislation, which has encountered legal challenges from industry organizations, increases an existing tax on hotels and vacation rentals from 10.25% to 11% and extends it to cruise ships as well. The state anticipates that it could yield $100 million each year.
Democratic Governor Josh Green, upon signing the bill into law, stated, "As an island chain, Hawaiʻi cannot afford to wait for the next disaster to strike before taking action. We must foster resilience now, and the Green Fee will supply the essential funding to ensure resources are available for our future."
In this undated file photo, Paia Bay is depicted in Maui, Hawaii.STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images
Utah: Mandatory ID checks for all customers regardless of appearance
A law set to take effect on January 1 in Utah mandates that every licensed establishment serving alcohol must verify the ID of every customer ordering alcoholic beverages, regardless of their perceived age, according to the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverages.
Additionally, new regulations are in place for individuals previously convicted of driving under the influence, as reported by ABC affiliate KTVX, who may be required to obtain new IDs indicating "no alcohol sale" if they are classified as “interdicted."
A judge may declare a person interdicted if they have a DUI conviction; individuals must be interdicted if their blood alcohol content exceeds 0.16 or if illegal substances are detected in their system, according to KTVX.
New York: Insurers required to cover essential hair-preservation treatment for cancer patients
New York will become the first state in the nation to mandate that private insurance providers cover scalp cooling treatments, which assist in preserving hair during chemotherapy, for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, remarked at an event in October, "Making life easier for cancer patients is invaluable, as they face so many challenges."
Illinois: a near-total prohibition on small plastic containers for toiletries in hotels
Those who enjoy small shampoo and conditioner bottles in hotels will need to request them due to a new law coming into effect in Illinois.
The law prohibits all hotels from providing toiletries in rooms that are smaller than 6 ounces unless specifically requested by the guest. This law was enacted in 2024, previously requiring larger hotels to comply by July 2025, and starting January 2026 will apply to all hotels.
The purpose of the law is to benefit the environment.
"Small plastic bottles supplied by hotels containing personal care products, like shampoo and conditioner, contribute to unnecessary plastic waste," state Sen. Laura Fine, who sponsored the law, stated in 2024.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com