STATE'S NEW LAWS TAKE EFFECT TODAY

Beginning today, drivers with expired licenses have three months to renew
them before having to start over with learner's permits, drug abusers will
get access to clean syringes, and people who feed sharks for commercial gain
will be breaking the law.

More than three dozen state laws that passed during the 2002 legislative
session go into effect today. Some of them -- including legislation that
aims to address Hawai'i's problems with drug abuse -- could have
far-reaching affects.

First-time, nonviolent drug users will be sentenced to probation and get
drug treatment instead of jail time, a measure that judges and health
officials say should help alleviate prison overcrowding as well as related
public health problems.

A law allowing pharmacists and doctors to sell sterile syringes to suspected
drug users is aimed at preventing the spread of AIDS, hepatitis and other
blood-borne diseases, Health Department officials said.

The new law prohibiting the feeding of sharks as part of a commercial
venture was modeled after laws passed in Florida after officials there
noticed sharks were coming closer to shore and periodically attacking
tourists. Tour guides who attract sharks to boats and diving sites by
dropping food could face fines from $100 to $500.

And knowingly missing a court date, whether for shark feeding or some other
infraction, is now punishable by fines of up to $1,000 and jail time of up
to a month.

Gov. Ben Cayetano praised the Legislature for what he said was one of the
most consumer-oriented package of reforms compiled in recent years. But two
of what may be the most eagerly anticipated reforms, laws that would make
prescription medication more affordable and allow state officials to set
price caps on gasoline, won't go into full effect until 2004.