With a new year comes new laws and regulations in states and cities across the country. Nearly half of all U.S. states will increase their minimum wages in 2023, including Arizona. The new minimum wage will increase from $12.80 per hour to $13.85. Flagstaff’s minimum wage will be $16.80 per hour.
A new Arizona law on sealing criminal records may help some renters, but there are limitations. This law is the third effort by Arizona to give people with criminal records a second chance. Arizonans with criminal backgrounds now have an opportunity to shield their records from public view, which can help benefit public housing assistance.
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the price of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries will be capped at $35 per month.
Changes to the tax credits for those purchasing used electric vehicles means buyers can receive up to $4,000 in credits but it may not exceed 30% of the vehicle’s sale price. According to the IRS, you may qualify for a credit up to $7,500 under Internal Revenue Code Section 30D if you buy a new, qualified plug-in EV or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCV). The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 changed the rules for this credit for vehicles purchased from 2023 to 2032.
In the realm of health care, the power of attorney appointing a party to act as your agent comes with a new wrinkle. Your agent will be subject to visitation/contact law found at A.R.S. § 36-3211, wherein contacts between you as the principal and those with whom you have a significant relationship are encouraged and allowed, and your agent cannot limit, restrict or prohibit reasonable contact between you and any other person without prior court approval.
What is the reason for this? Notorious cases such as that of Casey Kasem – where the party (wife) denied family members (children from another marriage) contact or visiting with Casey resulting in litigation. However, the power of attorney form may provide that you, as the principal, may grant to your agent the power to limit contacts or visits between you and others, if you wish.