Teenage blood donors rejoice: new laws kick in tomorrow

Many laws that were passed during this year’s session of the Minnesota Legislature kick in tomorrow. Most significantly, an additional quarter-cent sales tax goes into effect in the five-county metro area to pay for transportation projects. This means that Minneapolis’ sales tax will hit 7.4 percent, while St. Paul shoppers will pay 7.25 percent. The sales-tax rate in the surrounding counties will vary from 6.5 percent (Carver and Scott) to 6.9 percent (Hennepin). Residents of the five-county area will also pay a new $20 fee on all vehicle sales.

But numerous, less-far-reaching bills hit the books tomorrow as well. The legal age for donating blood will be lowered to 16, business owners serving in the military will be able to delay civil court proceedings while they’re deployed overseas, orders of protection can be authorized for up to 50 years and owners of public pools will be required to provide the state health department with information about their drain covers (a response to the death of Abigail Taylor).