New Michigan Laws Going Into Effect in 2017

The new year means new laws in Michigan. Check out some major new legislation that goes into effect in 2017. Happy 2017, Michigan.

1. Good news for your wallet. The minimum wage is going up to $8.90 an hour statewide. This is part of a four-phase, incremental minimum wage hike that became law in May 2014. Below is an outline of the minimum wage increase details:

-Sept. 1, 2014: The minimum wage rose to $8.15.

-Jan. 1, 2016: The minimum wage jumped to $8.50.

-Jan. 1, 2017: The minimum wage climbs to $8.90.

-Jan 1, 2018: The minimum wage increases to $9.25.

2. It'll be more expensive to gas up in 2017. Michigan's gas tax of 19 cents a gallon is increasing by 7.3 cents, and the diesel tax of 15 cents a gallon is jumping by 11.3 cents. It doesn't stop there - the law calls for automatic annual inflationary adjustments in 2022 and thereafter. Why are gas taxes going up? You can take it up with Gov. Rick Snyder, who in November 2015 signed a $1.2 billion road funding package, which included the gas tax hikes, to pay for improving Michigan roads. Something to think about the next time you drive over a pothole.

3. Leave your wallet out - it'll also cost more to register your vehicle in 2017! That's because in addition to raising gas taxes, that $1.2 billion road funding package is also increasing vehicle registration fees by 20 percent. And plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle owners, you're looking at even more charges. To estimate your 2017 registration, click here. Note: If your birthday is within six months of the New Year, you can avoid the 20 percent price jump by registering your vehicle before Jan. 1, 2017.

4. A new telehealth law is coming to Michigan in 2017. What the heck is telehealth? It's basically the use of telecommunications technology to offer virtual health services and share health-related information. For example, telehealth could be a mom using Skype to show a doctor her son's chicken pox instead of actually going into the doctor's office. Telehealth is a booming industry - and there are all sorts of apps that link you with on-demand doctors that will treat you virtually 24-7. Well, Snyder signed Michigan's new telehealth law on Dec. 21, 2016 - and it spells out new telehealth practice standards in an effort to regulate the industry. One big component: Under the new law, doctors can remotely prescribe medication via telemedicine - except for controlled substances. The law goes into effect March 21, 2017.

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