Daniel Salzler No. 1183 EnviroInsight.org Three Items January 6, 2023
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1. New Laws In Effect January1, 2023There were hundreds of bills signed into Arizona law in 2022. Here are a few that will take effect on New Year’s Day or a few days later.
Cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
HB 2204 classifies cryptocurrency and NFTs as gifts for tax purposes. Those trading in these financial assets could also include the fees associated with trading in their itemized deductions during tax season.
Sealing criminal records
Another new law that’ll take effect will help people get a second chance after getting into trouble with the law. Depending on the situation, it will allow a person to ask the court to seal all case records linked to a crime they may or may not have committed. For example, someone can ask for an arrest to be sealed if no charges were filed, or they could ask for their criminal records to be sealed if they were convicted, served their time, and at least two years have passed. To read the law, click/tap here.
Minimum wage going up
Thanks to Prop. 206 being passed in 2016, Arizona’s minimum wage is going up in the new year. Based on inflation between August 2021 and August 2022, it’ll increase by $1.05 to $13.85. Click/tap here for why a Tempe small business says it’s a good thing.
Historic tax cut
A flat tax affecting Arizonans will start on Jan. 1. Gov. Doug Ducey signed the tax reform package in July 2021 and, then in September, ordered it be implemented ahead of schedule in 2023. It eliminates the state’s income tax scale and implements a flat tax of 2.5%, making it the lowest flat tax in the country. Supporters say it’ll help all taxpayers, but opponents say it benefits the wealthiest Arizonans primarily. For most wage earners, it will mean approximately .5% tax cut. Read more here.
Points against your driving record
HB 2673 requires that the Arizona Department of Transportation only assess points against a person’s driving record for one violation rather than multiple violations if they are from the same incident. ADOT would choose the violation with the highest number of points against a person’s driving record. For those looking to remove a suspended or revoked license from your public record, you have to show that you’re allowed to receive a license once again. You can get your license back automatically after 12 months, provided you weren’t charged with a DUI.
Open containers at malls
While not in effect on New Year’s Day, people will soon be able to window shop and drink alcohol at select Arizona malls. Following a three-year pilot program, a new law was passed that will allow businesses that have permits and licenses to offer alcohol outdoors on a permanent basis. So far, it’ll be allowed at Tempe Marketplace and Desert Ridge Marketplace starting on Jan. 12. Source: abc news 15
There are additional Arizona bills signed into law include;
HB2031 HIGHER EDUCATION; INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Signed Into Law
HB2031 HIGHER EDUCATION; INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Signed Into Law
HB2049 FINGERPRINT REQUIREMENTS; CARE FACILITIES
Signed Into Law
HB2113 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; DOWN SYNDROME
Signed Into Law
HB2157 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS; COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES
Signed Into Law
HB 2319 LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY; RECORDING PROHIBITION
Signed Into Law
HB2113 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; DOWN SYNDROME
Signed Into Law
HB2157 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS; COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES
Signed Into Law
HB 2319 LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY; RECORDING PROHIBITION
Signed Into Law
HB2397 EMOTIONAL ABUSE; VULNERABLE ADULTS
Signed Into Law
HB2594 TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTERS; GRANTS
Signed Into Law
HB2659 ORGAN TRANSPLANTS; DISABILITIES; DISCRIMINATION; PROHIBITION
Signed Into Law
HB2865 BUDGET; HUMAN SERVICES; 2022-2023
Signed Into Law
SB1075 INCOMPETENT DEFENDANT; GUARDIAN APPOINTMENT; COSTS
Signed Into Law
SB1114 COURT-ORDERED TREATMENT; CASE RECORDS; CONFIDENTIALITY
Signed Into Law\
SB1210 MENTALLY ILL; TRANSPORTATION; EVALUATION; TREATMENT
Signed Into Law
SB1231 INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE; DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Signed Into Law
SB1257 LONG-TERM RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS; CAREGIVERS
Signed Into Law
SB1309 GROUP HOME MONITORING; COMPLEX NEEDS
NOW: temporary licenses; health professionals; extension
Signed Into Law
SB1311 HEALTH CARE WORKERS; ASSAULT; PREVENTION
Signed Into Law
Source: https://addpc.az.gov/list-2022-bills-arizona-state-legislature
2. Is YourFirePlaceReadyForFall? Is your fireplace ready for fall and winter weather? Before temperatures drop, learn what to do to prepare it, regardless of what type of fireplace you have.Once temperatures begin to drop, however, the best way to use a fireplace is to
environment and providing toasty indoor comfort on a wintry night.
Whether you have a gas or wood-burning unit, the following fireplace tips and tricks can help you make sure your fireplace is ready to go well in advance of the change in season.
Preparing your fireplace for use
Proper fireplace maintenance is always essential. Keeping your chimneys clean and clear – including the flues, smoke chambers, dampers and vents – is the best way to ensure your fireplace is ready for immediate use once the first cold snap hits.
It is recommended that all homeowners have professional chimney cleaning done annually and before you light the first fire of the season. If you live in a cold climate or use your fireplace more often than average, noted home maintenance experts recommend a good cleaning after every 60 to 80 fires.
Professional chimney cleaners will also perform the kind of detailed inspection that you may not have the time or tools to do on your own. Their work helps keep your fireplace chimney free of buildup or debris that can repair its most critical functions – channeling smoke, carbon monoxide and airborne ash away from your home.
Wood-burning fireplace tips
A traditional wood-burning fireplace can be one of your home’s most attractive features. If you live in an older home, several wood-burning fireplaces may even be scattered throughout, warming and adding ambiance to different rooms.
While traditional fireplaces are generally safe, they also carry certain risks if not maintained properly. Before lighting the first fire of the season, be sure to check your fireplace for the following conditions:
Creosote buildup. Creosote is a toxic and highly flammable byproduct of burning wood that should be cleared if it is discovered in your chimney. If it ignites, the ensuing fire may quickly get out of control. Exposure to from a creosote fire is also dangerous and can be harmful to your lungs and other organs.
Cracks or loose bricks. Hire a masonry professional to ensure your fireplace and chimney repairs are completed properly. Your mason can recommend brick and mortar materials designed to withstand extreme heat.
A missing or damaged chimney cap. If your chimney cap is not present or in good working condition, it may not prevent stray embers from igniting your home’s roof. The cap also deters birds from building a nest in the chimney and keeps out other animals and debris. If you have a multi-story house or your roof line is steep, check for the cap with binoculars and let the professionals climb up on the roof to replace it if needed.
Trees blocking the chimney. To keep tree branches and new growth from blocking the chimney and sending smoke back into your living room or bedroom, trim trees back as far as possible.
Gas fireplace tips
A gas-burning fireplace is simpler to use and maintain than its wood-burning counterpart but also requires annual inspection and attention — especially if it has sat idle for some time. The reports from insurers is that gas fireplace vent issues are common. These issues can prove deadly if they are not addressed. Carbon monoxide can enter the home when fireplace vents are blocked or do not operate as expected.
If you notice any of the following signs, your gas fireplace may not be venting properly.
Dampness inside the home, specifically on walls (peeling wallpaper, paint blisters, etc.). Blocked vents can cause water vapor to condense inside the cooler flue.
Stains on the outside of the chimney, especially if the stains are white.
Erosion around motor joints or crumbling bricks.
If you suspect a vent issue, don’t use your fireplace until it can be inspected by a professional. Visual evidence of qa problem could be a signal that carbon monoxide is building up inside the house, so take action quickly.
How To Heat Your Home With A Fireplace.
Some homeowners like to look, feel, and sound of a fire, but their views of a fireplace as more ornamental and functional. Other homeowners may be relying on fireplaces for winter, warmth and comfort. The best way to use a fireplace is mostly a matter of personal preference. If heating your home with a fireplace or several fireplaces is a high priority here a few more fireplace tips, and tricks to consider.
Make sure the flue damper is in good shape. If the damper doesn’t seal well, you’re home can lose a tremendous amount of heat, even when the fireplace isn’t in use. Install a tempered glass door at the front of the fire box instead of using a movable screen as a barrier,. Closing the doors will seal off the fireplace, keeping the warm air inside your home from being drafted back up through the chimney.
For wood-burning fireplaces, clean the inside of the firebox occasionally to remove sooty buildup and prime the area for additional fires. Doing so will ensure that accumulated ash and debris do not limit the amount of space left for new logs inside the firebox, allowing you to build build bigger fires at colder times of the year. It can also help keep piled dry ash from drifting when the fire is out, staining your floors or carpets.
Now that you’ve made the proper preparation’s you should be ready to enjoy your fireplace.
3. Upper Agua Fria Watershed Partnership Virtual Meeting
December 6, 2022, 10 am
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
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Draft Agenda
1. Introductions and Announcements
2. Arizona Metals Black Canyon City Kay Mine – updates?
3. Solar Farm Proposals: UAFWP role now? Any updates? ASLD Board of Appeals Meetings, APS Generational Interconnection Agreement, APS Queue number
4. ADOT <improvingi17.com>. Water Sources for Construction; updates; Supervisor Gregory Black Canyon City next Meeting date? BCC well levels, Big John 2 well; Southwestern Utilities new owner of Cold Water Canyon Water Company; Concerns about Table Mesa Well impacts on New River
5. BCHP – Winterfest
6. FAFNM
7. Organizational efforts for UAFWP; State of the Verde Conference connections and insights, Nancy Steele from Friends of the Verde to February 7, 2023 meeting Leadership, Partners, Funding, watershed wide meetings for input, existing Vision, Mission, Questions Review; Gary Beverly?
8. Other Business: Sierra Club Environmental Day at Legislature Supply/Demand Meeting: ADWR Dec 8, 2022 2 pm
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