5 New MA Laws In 2019 That Could Change Your Life

With the new year comes new laws. While many of the laws taking effect in 2019 will only be felt in specific municipalities, several could change the day-to-day life for millions in Massachusetts. Here are five that could impact you as soon as today.

Minimum wage increases

The road to a $15 minimum wage starts Tuesday. The state's hourly minimum wage increases from $11 to $12, the beginning of a four-year steady increase. Restaurant servers will see their hourly wage increase from $3.75 to $6.75.

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center said the total wage increase beginning Tuesday will be $817.5 million for more than 662,000 workers. It will benefit 15 percent of working parents and 79 percent of working teenagers in the state, the report said.

>>>Read more here: 662K Workers Will Get Pay Bump Next Week, Analysis Says

Income tax cut

You may need to squint to see it, but a slight income tax cut will be worth about $175 million to Massachusetts workers. The income tax will fall from 5.1 percent to 5.05 percent Tuesday.

The tax relief means $84 million less for the state budget over the last half of fiscal 2019, and its impact over a full fiscal year is $175 million.

>>>Read more here: Income Tax Cut Jan. 1 Worth $175M To Mass. Workers

Tobacco increase

This one actually started Monday: A bill signed by Gov. Charlie Baker in July took effect Dec. 31, imposing restrictions on tobacco products. The most important piece of the legislation raises the minimum age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21.

Nearly 200 towns in Massachusetts already had this law in effect. In fact, 14 years ago Needham became the first town in American to ban tobacco sales to anyone under 21.

The legislation also says pharmacies can't sell tobacco products, and e-cigarettes can't be used in places where state law prohibits smoking.

>>>Read more here: MA Could Raise Age To Purchase Tobacco to 21

Airbnb taxes

Airbnb and other short-term housing rental websites will be subject to a 5.7 percent hotel and motel room tax. The compromise bill, which was struck late in the year, will exempt homeowners who rent out their units for 14 or fewer days a year. Municipalities can levy their own taxes of up to 6 percent, and 6.5 percent in Boston.

These regulations take place July 1, not Tuesday.

Rental Car Fee

If you are renting a car in the Bay State, be prepared to pony up a little more. A $2 surcharge will be implemented Tuesday, with proceeds going to a police training program.

State House News Service contributed to this report

Photo by Mike Carraggi, Patch