Here are 5 new Arizona laws that will go into effect Tuesday

PHOENIX — Tuesday is a busy day in state politics.

Not only is the city of Phoenix holding a special election, but most of the 321 measures approved this year by the Arizona Legislature will take effect.

Here are five laws that will have a statewide impact:

Animal cruelty

Those who abuse animals will be subjected to increased penalties.

House Bill 2671 will adjust animal cruelty from a Class 6 to Class 5 felony, meaning violators could face jail time and can’t have it reduced to a misdemeanor.

Arizona Humane Society President and CEO Steve Hansen told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday that animal abusers commonly go on to abuse humans.

Hansen hopes the stricter penalty will weaken that link and lower the rate of animal abuse cases in the state.

“The bill will allow prosecutors to match the penalty with the crime,” Hansen said.

Nunchucks

It’s nunchuck time.

S.B. 1219 repeals the section of a law that defined nunchucks as a “prohibited weapon,” making their ownership legal in Arizona.

Before Tuesday, Arizonans were only allowed to have nunchucks to prepare for martial arts competition.

They were classified as deadly weapons along with bombs, gun silencers and automatic firearms.

Possession of them could have resulted in 2.5 years in state prison.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich celebrated the passing of the legislation in May by showing off his skills.

Lemonade

With the summer heat still in full force, a cool beverage is a good idea.

Arizona has officially made one its very own — lemonade.

Republican Rep. Warren Petersen, the House majority leader, introduced the bill after being lobbied by a Gilbert high school student earlier this year.

It took two tries to get through the Senate, but lemonade’s here to stay in Arizona.

The entire text of the new law is: “Lemonade is the official state drink.”

Occupational licenses

Arizona will now recognize professional licenses issued by other states.

House Bill 2569 provides universal recognition for occupational licenses in an effort to remove barriers for employment.

Arizona is the first state in the nation to allow for the broad recognition, according to Gov. Doug Ducey’s office.

Arizona will automatically grant a professional license to someone who becomes an Arizona resident and had a similar license for at least a year in another state without disciplinary action.

Licensing generally comes with an education requirement, paperwork and fees.

Differences in requirements from one state to the next can make it expensive and time consuming to work when a licensed professional moves to another state.

Arizona’s licensing boards can test only for information specific to Arizona law.

It applies almost universally to the long list of licensed professions in industries including health care, dentistry, construction, real estate, hair care and funeral embalming. The only exceptions are lawyers, security guards and private investigators.

Fireworks

Arizonans will be able to purchase fireworks on more days throughout the year.

S.B. 1348 will include the time around Cinco de Mayo when residents can buy and light explosives such as sparklers and snappers, which will become legal.

They will also be legal during Diwali, a five-day celebration in India and around the world.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Nailea Leon contributed to this report.

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