New laws on drones, HOAs, driver's licenses and more going into effect
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Most of the bills passed during the 2026 legislative session go into effect Saturday, including new laws on drones, HOAs, reckless driving, driver's license photos and vaping.
State of play: New laws go into effect 90 days after the end of a legislative session.
- Some go into effect later, while those that pass with a supermajority can go into effect earlier.
The new laws that go into effect Saturday include:
🪪 Smile for the camera: If you like your old driver's license photo or you don't feel like taking the time to get a new one, you've got some extra time — Arizonans now have to update their photos every 16 years instead of every 12.
- Standard licenses still don't expire until you turn 65.
⛱️ Throw some shade: Homeowners associations can no longer prohibit people from putting up permanent or moveable shade structures in their backyards, though they can still adopt "reasonable rules" on size, placement or appearance.
🚫 No drone zones: It's illegal for people to operate drones within a mile of a ticketed entertainment event like concerts and sporting events without permission.
🚗 Eyes on the road: Fines for second or subsequent distracted driving violations increase to $400 from the previous range of $150-250. First offenses will still cost you between $75-149.
- And under a different new law, it's now a reckless driving violation for a motorcycle to pass another vehicle in the same lane.
💨 Vape crackdown: Businesses that sell alternative nicotine products will be barred from using packaging intended to appeal to minors or to sell products designed to look like other items, including school supplies, cosmetics, smartphones, toys, or food and beverages.
- The new law also increases penalties for selling vape products to minors.
⛪ Freedom of religion: It's a Class 6 felony to obstruct a religious service by impeding people's ability to enter or leave a house of worship, or to create a protracted disruption or commotion of a religious service.
📱 Cade's Law: Adults who encourage minors to kill themselves through online directed messages, including social media posts or text messages, can be charged with manslaughter if the minor being targeted dies by suicide.
💊 Fentanyl sentencing: Stricter sentencing guidelines for fentanyl sales are now triggered by amounts up to 100 grams, instead of the previous threshold of 200 grams.
🥩 Lab-grown meat: Requires labeling to inform consumers if meat is lab-grown or cell-cultured.
🧑🧒🧒 Child safety: A new law makes it more difficult for domestic abusers to get custody of their children after a divorce.