‘Alcohol Without Liquid’ now on wrong side of law

08/01/2006

Dane Smith, Star Tribune
Last update: July 31, 2006 – 9:14 PM

Today it will be illegal in Minnesota to buy or use “Alcohol Without Liquid” machines, which are used to ingest vaporized alcohol directly into the bloodstream through the lungs.

The law is among a series of measures that come alive Aug. 1, which along with July 1 is the traditional date when the previous Legislature’s work takes effect.

Here are some others, according to the Minnesota House information office.

• “Dangerous” animals: Owners of animals such as bears, wildcats or gorillas can be charged with a crime if the beasts harm humans because of lack of control or confinement. Depending on the severity of the injury, the owner can be guilty of a felony or misdemeanor. Signs declaring the presence of the animals must be posted and must include the word “dangerous.”

• Data security: It gets tighter for phone records and genetic information. DNA information held by a government entity is now defined as private data, and new rules govern collection and dissemination of it.

• Harsher penalties: Longer sentences or bigger fines are in the offing for human trafficking, counterfeiting, computer crimes and possessing or distributing child pornography.

• Electric cars: Rules of the road now apply to a new breed of low-speed “neighborhood electric vehicles.” They may not travel on roads with speed limits above 35 miles per hour, and they are subject to the same requirements as other cars. They must be equipped with turn signals, license plates, windshields and seat belts.

• Veterans benefits: Employers must give leaves of absence to family members of service members who are mobilized, or injured or killed on active duty. State colleges must give credit when appropriate for courses that veterans take as part of military service. All veterans must be recognized as residents for undergraduate tuition rates.

• Election deception: It’s now a misdemeanor to intentionally deceive citizens about the election process, including such things as the time and place of voting or about the laws governing eligibility and registration.

• State fruit: No jokes, please. The latest “official state” item is the Honeycrisp apple, a hybrid engineered at the University of Minnesota.

For more information, go to http://www.startribune.com/a1596.