Notable new state laws taking effect in 2026 cover hotels, AI and climate
Hawaii will place new or increased taxes on tourists to fund climate projects.
Across the country, new laws dealing with artificial intelligence, health care, climate and a variety of other areas are set to take effect as 2026 begins.
Here’s a look at six notable examples of those laws.
Hawaii: A 'Green Fee' tax on hotel, cruise guests to fund climate programs
In Hawaii, a new law taking effect will increase or implement certain taxes on tourists at hotels, vacation rentals and on cruise ships in order to generate revenue for climate and environment initiatives.
The law, which has faced pushback in court from industry groups, increases a tax that was already placed on hotels and vacation rentals from 10.25% to 11% and adds it for cruise ships, too. The state says it could generate $100 million annually.
Democratic Gov. Josh Green, in a statement when he signed the bill into law, wrote, "As an island chain, Hawaiʻi cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action. We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future."
Utah: ID checks for everyone -- regardless of how old you look
A new law taking effect Jan. 1 in the state requires every establishment with a license to serve alcohol to check ID for everyone ordering alcohol regardless of how old they look, according to the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverages.
There are also new restrictions for people previously convicted of driving under the influence, according to ABC affiliate KTVX, who may need to get new IDs that say "no alcohol sale" if they are designated as “interdicted."
Individuals could be interdicted by a judge if they have a DUI conviction; individuals must be interdicted if they had a blood alcohol content greater than 0.16 or their bloodstream showed illegal drugs, per KTVX.
New York: Insurers must cover key hair-preservation treatment for cancer patients
New York will become the first state in the nation to require private insurance companies to cover scalp cooling, which helps preserve hair during chemotherapy, for chemotherapy patients.
Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, a Democrat who introduced the bill, said at an event in October, "To make life easier for cancer patients is worth everything, because they have so much to go through."
Illinois: a near-total ban on small plastic containers for toiletries in hotels
Fans of small shampoos and conditioner bottles in hotels will have to start asking for them thanks to a new law taking effect in Illinois.
The law prevents all hotels from supplying toiletries in rooms that are less than 6 ounces unless the customer specifically requests them. The law passed in 2024 and previously required large hotels to comply by July 2025, and as of January 2026 will require all hotels to follow it.
The reason for the law is to help the environment.
"Tiny plastic bottles provided by hotels that contain personal care products, like shampoo and conditioner, produce unnecessary plastic pollution," state Sen. Laura Fine, a legislator who sponsored the law, wrote in 2024.
Georgia: allowing remote dentistry for some services
A new law in Georgia will allow dentists to offer teledentistry services, although it has limitations on the types of care and examinations that dentists can provide remotely.
The Georgia Dental Association wrote in May, when the bill was signed into law, that it allows dentists "to provide a range of services for Georgia patients including consultations, second opinions, triage, evaluations and referrals through secure online platforms."
The American Dental Association has written that "examinations performed using teledentisty can be an effective way to extend the reach of dental professionals," but that services through it must be "consistent" with how they are done in-person.
California: new safety guardrails for AI-powered companion chatbots
A law going into effect in California will require "companion chatbot" platforms to put in precautions meant to make using those artificial intelligence platforms safer -- especially for minors.
The law defines companion chatbots as artificial intelligence-powered chatbots that respond to users socially with "human-like" responses meant to be social and keep up a relationship. It excludes chatbots used only for customer service or bots that are part of a video game.
The law requires chatbot operators to develop protocols to prevent users from being given content relating to suicidal ideation or self-harm, as well as to make sure the chatbot will "disclose to the user that the user is interacting with artificial intelligence" if the user is a minor, according to the bill’s text.
If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises, or are worried about a friend or loved one, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.
ABC News' Liz Neporent contributed to this report.
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