Eighty-six new state laws went into effect July 1 in, including changes in car tags that could effect everyone in the state.

Under a new law, Oklahoma motorists will keep their license plates when selling their vehicles. Registering a newly purchased car with the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) differs whether someone is purchasing the vehicle from a dealership or an individual:

• If someone buys a vehicle from a dealership, that car will come with a paper tag and they will have 30 days to register the vehicle to avoid penalties. When registering the vehicle, they will have a choice of placing their old tag on the vehicle or purchasing a new one from the OTC or a local tag agent.
• If someone buys a vehicle from anyone other than a dealership and they buyer does not have a tag from a previous vehicle, the car may be driven for five days without a plate. During these five days, they must have a copy of the bill of sale or the assigned title in the vehicle. If they have a tag from a previous vehicle, they may place the tag on the newly purchased vehicle after it has been titled and registered. They have 30 days before incurring any penalties.
• Under the new law, motorists will now be required to carry their annual certificates of registration in their cars at all times. This is issued at the time of initial registration and annually when the vehicle registration is renewed.

“Starting July, if you sell a vehicle, remove the tag,” said OTC Spokesperson, Paula Ross. “The tag will now stay with the person, not the car. When motorists purchase a new car, they will take the tag from their old car and place it on the new one. This will assist law enforcement in tracking current vehicle owners as well as cut down on past owners receiving turnpike fines, parking tickets or other issues involving their old vehicle.”

If someone buys a car from an individual who didn’t remove the plate, the previous owner’s plate should be given to the OTC or a motor license agent. If someone sells a car and doesn’t plan to buy another car immediately, they should keep the plate until they purchase another one

If someone sells a car with time still left on that plate,  any full registration months remaining on the plate will be prorated and applied to the registration of a new\used vehicle.

If the license plate was expired when a car was sold, the owner is subject to a delinquent registration fine.

Sales and excise taxes will continue to be charged as they are now.

The new plate-to-owner law only affects vehicles statutorily classified as a vehicle. Use types not included are: mobile chapel; manufactured home; boat/outboard motor; construction machinery; special mobilized trailer-trailer exempt; commercial rental trailer- commercial trailer; farm trailer- forest trailer- private trailer and ATV- utility vehicle- off road motorcycle.

Another change on July 1 was an across-the-board raise for state employees. State employees making less than $40,000 a year got a $1,500 pay increase while state correctional officers were given a $2 an hour hike.

State employees making between $50,000-60,000 a year got an $800 a year rise and for those making more than $60,000 a year, a $600 a year raise.

House Bill 2771, authored by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, passed the House by a vote of 88-0 and the Senate by a vote of 42-0. The Senate author was Sen. Roger Thompson- R-Okemah.

Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, a champion of liberalizing Oklahoma’s liquor laws, authored Senate Bill 813.

The new law created a complimentary beverage license under which a license holder can offer limited amounts of alcohol free of charge for them to drink on the premises. It is limited to businesses involving retail sales and services to clients. Nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations may qualify.

Employees who serve the drinks must be 21 years old and the fee for the license is $75. The limits are two alcoholic drinks, 12 ounces of wine and 24 ounces of beer per day per guest.

State officials anticipate that nail salons, barbershops and other businesses will apply for these licenses.

SB813 passed 76-17 in the House and 40-6 in the Senate.

House Bill 2472, by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, is designed to stop trains from blocking traffic at a crossing with a public highway or street for more than 10 minutes. There are some exceptions. Violators are subject to a $1,000 fine.