Here's why you should care if ...

You're wondering whether you should try to make it through that yellow light . . . Cities using red-light cameras (such as Columbus) will have to post signs on state highways entering their cities, informing drivers that the devices are in use. (HB 30)

You're wondering whether you should drive after an evening of drinking . . . Fines for DUI offenses have been increased so more money can go to pay lawyers for the indigent. Lawmakers aimed at repeat drunken drivers with increased use of alcohol-monitoring and ignition-locking devices, while forcing those with at least two previous DUIs to submit to a chemical blood-alcohol test. (SB 209 and 17)

You're worried about identity theft . . . Ohioans can now place a freeze on their credit reports for a $5 fee. Also, government entities can no longer include Social Security numbers on documents posted online, or on notices for vehicle registrations and renewals. (HB 46 and 13)

You're a veteran . . . Lawmakers helped you financially and paid you symbolic tribute. Military pensions are now exempt from the state income tax, and estates of those who died in a combat zone can avoid certain probate fees. Someone awarded a battle star can display the star on a special military license plate; some can now get Civil Air Patrol license plates; those who lose loved ones in military service can get "Gold Star" license plates; and I-70 and I-71 have been designated the "Purple Heart Trail." (HB 372 and SB 25) Veterans who need help from the state will soon find a new Department of Veterans Services, which replaces the current Governor's Office of Veterans Affairs. And troops trying to return home to their private-sector jobs now have more employment protections. (SB 289)

You think the state economy stinks . . . Lawmakers passed a stimulus package that the governor hopes will create 57,000 jobs. It will pump $1.6 billion into areas such as highway and bridge construction, advanced energy, distribution and college internships. (HB 554)

You're a farmer . . . The state is starting a new marketing program to promote your grain, and earmarking $550,000 for two studies related to bioproduct development. And if you want to show off that you're a farmer, you can get a new Ohio Agriculture license plate, with funds earmarked toward an agriculture-focused scholarship program. (HB 217 and 293)

You own a small business . . . The state has decided to cut you some slack on your first paperwork violation by waiving the penalties. Just don't do it again. (HB 285)

You run a giant business like, say, General Motors, NetJets or Avon . . . Lawmakers have rained down the tax breaks, including sales-tax exemptions and easier-to-meet requirements to qualify for the state's Job Retention Tax Credit. (HB 562)

You legally own a gun . . . A number of state firearms laws have been clarified and loosened, such as allowing anyone to carry a gun inside a vehicle. People who shoot an intruder also get more legal protections. (SB 184)

You use payday loans . . . Lawmakers have decided that lenders should not be allowed to charge you 391 percent annual interest anymore. They found 28 percent more to their liking. Payday lenders might fight the law on the ballot. (HB 545)

You like boating, fishing or perhaps just drinking fresh water . . . Lawmakers finally approved the Great Lakes Compact, an agreement between eight states and two Canadian provinces to prevent water from being diverted to states in the thirsty South and West. (HB 416)

You're a good teacher . . . Things won't change much.

You're a bad teacher who hopes to escape criminal misdeeds by switching districts . . . Think again. School officials will now immediately revoke the license of a teacher convicted of one of more than 80 serious criminal offenses, or will remove from the classroom a teacher charged with one of the crimes. The Ohio Department of Education also gets access to state arrest and conviction records. (HB 428)

You're a sex offender . . . New mandatory prison terms have been set for importuning -- the soliciting of sex from a minor. (SB 183)

You're into dogfighting . . . The state now allows county dog shelters and nonprofit groups to euthanize dogs trained to fight if the owner facing charges does not pay to house them. The state also has defined, for purposes of compensation from the Dog and Kennel Fund, fair market value for an animal killed by a dog. (HB 71 and 281)

You are interested in the abortion debate . . . Ohio doctors, before an abortion procedure, must give the woman the opportunity to view the ultrasound image, if one was made. (HB 314)

You have cancer . . . Insurance companies can no longer refuse to cover routine costs associated with experimental cancer trials. (SB 186)

You're a crooked politician, or aspire to be one . . . The state now forbids elected officials convicted of certain felonies from collecting the government-contributed portion of their pensions. (SB 3)

You worry about electricity costs . . . Lawmakers set up a new regulatory system to set rates and allow companies to switch into an open market. No, this is not expected to stop rates from going up. (SB 221)

You long for a world powered without coal or natural gas . . . Utilities must start meeting annual benchmarks so that at least 25 percent of electricity generated in Ohio comes from renewable or advanced energy sources by 2025, and so that power usage becomes 22 percent more efficient by that year. (SB 221)

You've struggled with waiting lists to get services from county boards of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities . . . The process has been simplified by eliminating some of those lists. (HB 405)

You wonder about Ohio's anti-smoking efforts . . . Lawmakers abolished the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation, transferring its duties and money to the Ohio Department of Health. (HB 544)

You sell or buy scrap metal (or steal it) . . . The state is establishing new requirements and restrictions for scrap-metal deals. (SB 171)

You're tired of that junk car in the neighbor's yard . . . Townships now have the authority to remove it. (HB 50)

You're a high-school senior who wants a Tuesday off school . . . The state now allows two seniors (it had been one) to serve as poll workers at a single polling place if the location has six or more precinct officers. (HB 350)

You're German . . . Prepare to grab a stein and celebrate because October is now German Heritage Month. (SB 40)

You're not sure who owns the fence that stands between you and your neighbor . . . State law now generally requires that adjoining property owners share in the upkeep of a current fence, or the cost of a new one. (HB 323)

You have Lyme disease . . . May is now Ohio Lyme Disease Awareness Month. (HB 297)

Your alpacas and llamas are finally getting their due recognition . . . Each has been added to the state's legal definitions of "agricultural animal" and "livestock." (HB 352)

jsiegel@dispatch.com