Notable new state laws taking effect in 2026 cover hotels, AI and climate
ABC News••nation
Key Points:
- Hawaii will implement a "Green Fee" tax increase on hotel and vacation rental stays from 10.25% to 11%, and add a new tax on cruise ship guests, aiming to generate $100 million annually for climate and environmental programs.
- Utah requires all alcohol-serving establishments to check IDs for every customer regardless of appearance, and introduces new restrictions for individuals with DUI convictions, including potential "no alcohol sale" designations on IDs.
- New York becomes the first state to mandate private insurers cover scalp cooling treatment for chemotherapy patients to help preserve hair during cancer treatment.
- Illinois enacts a near-total ban on providing small plastic toiletry bottles under 6 ounces in hotels unless requested by guests, aiming to reduce plastic pollution.
- California introduces
