Only five laws take effect on New Year's

There is an unusually light listing of lone five new laws taking consequence on New Year's Day, but ignoring one large legal demand could acquire Sunshine State drivers in a batch of trouble.

A subdivision of the restored no-fault/personal hurt protection insurance law will necessitate drivers to transport coverage of medical disbursals resulting from crash-related injuries to themselves, riders and relations living in their homes. Failing to keep "PIP" insurance will ensue in suspension of a driver's licence and vehicle registration.

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The 2007 Legislature allow the no-fault law oversight and, for three months, many drivers dropped pip coverage.

Companies and insurance agents have got been notifying policyholders of the new demands in recent months, but there is concern that many won't acquire the word.

"PIP is an of import consumer protection for Sunshine State drivers and their households and with all the distractions of the vacation season upon us, it's important for automobilists to recognize that this coverage will once again be compulsory — and strictly enforced by the state — starting on New Year's Day," said Dan Tarantin, chief executive officer of Direct General Insurance Co.

Chief Financial Military Officer Alex Sink have put up a consumer aid line, (877) 693-5236, to manage inquiries from baffled motorists. She said it is indispensable that consumers reappraisal their coverage policies and acquire adequate coverage.

"This is a great clip for people to be speech production with their insurance agents," said Tarantin.

The new twelvemonth will also peal in a sweeping bundle of election-law alterations for Florida. The most noticeable for electors is the Jan. Twenty-Nine presidential primary day of the month — moved up from early March, to do the state more than than influential in the nominating procedure — and a new furrow intended to do Gov. Charlie Crist a more attractive frailty presidential candidate.

Leon County Elections Supervisor Ion Sancho, who have been involved in a wide-range of voting-law changes, said omission of the "resign to run" demand for national business business offices is effectual on Jan. 1.

Even though the states can't raise or less makings for national offices, Republican legislative leadership decided to unclutter the manner so that Crist might run — if picked for a national ticket — without having to give up his current job.

But Sancho said the more of import portion of the elections package, eliminating "touch screen" vote equipment, won't kick in until July 1. The 2008 full general elections will be conducted on paper, under the new law, he said.

Other new legislative acts impact regulations for corporate enrollment and concern filings with the secretary of state's Corporations Division, widen the enrollment and renewal time period for some vehicles, mobile places and vessels, and revize regulations for issuing limited coverage licenses.

There is also a new legislative act authorizing electronic notarization of documents.