Are you wondering what laws are changing in Arizona in 2022? Here is a list of some of the key changes:
- The legal age to purchase tobacco products will increase from 18 to 21.
- The minimum wage will increase from $11 per hour to $12 per hour.
- A new law will require employers to provide paid sick leave to employees.
- The state sales tax will increase from 5.6% to 6.6%.
- A new law will allow people to use medical marijuana for treating anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- The possession limit for recreational marijuana will increase from one ounce to two ounces.
- A new law will allow people to recall elected officials if they gather enough signatures.
- A new law will create a task force to study the impact of dark money in elections.
- The voter registration deadline will be moved from 29 days before an election to 7 days.
- A new law will allow people to register to vote on election day.
- Early voting will be expanded from two weeks before an election to three weeks.
- Mail-in ballots will be sent to all voters for the 2022 primary and general elections.
- A new law will require presidential and vice presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns to appear on the Arizona ballot.
For more information on these and other changes, visit the Arizona Legislature website or contact your local county or city clerk.
Minimum Wage Increase
As of January 1, 2022, the minimum wage in Arizona will be raised to $12 per hour. This is an increase of $0.50 from the current rate of $11.50 per hour. The minimum wage will then be adjusted annually based on the cost of living.
Leave Laws
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons. Under the new law, employees in Arizona will be entitled to take up to 24 weeks of unpaid leave for a qualifying event.
Paid Sick Leave
Arizona employers are required to provide paid sick leave to employees as of January 1, 2022. Employees can accrue up to 5 days of paid sick leave per year and can carry over up to 40 hours of unused sick leave from one year to the next.
Pregnancy and Lactation Accommodations
Employers in Arizona are required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees for pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation. These accommodations may include more frequent or longer breaks, private space for nursing mothers, and modified work schedules.
Equal Pay Laws
Arizona’s equal pay laws will be strengthened as of January 1, 2022. Employers will be prohibited from paying employees of different sex less than what they would pay an employee of the opposite sex for doing equal work unless the pay difference is based on a bona fide factor other than sex. For more information, contact an experienced employment law attorney in your area.
Income Tax Changes
The biggest change that will affect Arizonans in 2022 is the state’s new income tax law. The new law, which takes effect on January 1, 2022, will raise the state’s personal income tax rate from 4.54 percent to 5.45 percent. The new rate will apply to all taxable income over $25,000 for single filers and over $50,000 for joint filers. The new law also creates a 3 percent surcharge on taxable incomes over $250,000 for single filers and over $500,000 for joint filers.
The changes to Arizona’s income tax laws are expected to generate an additional $1 billion in revenue for the state each year. The additional revenue will be used to fund education and infrastructure projects.
Arizona Considering New Uses for Medical Marijuana
The state of Arizona is considering expanding the list of conditions that can be treated with medical marijuana. If approved, this would mean that more people in Arizona would have legal access to marijuana for medicinal purposes. The proposed expansion includes adding conditions such as PTSD, chronic pain, and migraines to the list of qualifying conditions. This could potentially help many people in Arizona who suffer from these conditions find relief.
Currently, Arizona has some of the most restrictive laws when it comes to medical marijuana. Only patients with certain qualifying conditions are allowed to legally use it. However, if the proposed expansion is approved, it would make Arizona’s laws much more lenient. This would be a major change for the state, and it could have a positive impact on the lives of many people.
The proposed expansion of medical marijuana in Arizona is still under consideration, and it remains to be seen if it will be approved. However, if it is approved, it would be a major change for the state that could help many people find relief from their conditions.
These are just a few of the laws that will be changing in Arizona in 2022.