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New Florida laws take effect July 1

The new laws include texting and driving, a ban on sanctuary cities and allowing for self-driving cars.

Several new Florida laws take effect on July 1.

Here are some of the highlights:

Texting and driving

The new law will allow law enforcement to pull people over and issue citations for texting as a primary offense.

Authorities could also stop a person for using any sort of tablets or other electronic devices that could be distracting, with extra penalties enforced in school zones.

However, there are loopholes in the new law. An officer must prove a driver was illegally texting behind the wheel. Obtaining such proof would require the officer to check your phone.

There are other exceptions to the law, including checking GPS maps. Drivers are also allowed to use their phone while stopped at a red light or stop sign.

A first offense is punishable by a $30 fine, with a second offense costing $60. Court costs and fees also would apply.

Sanctuary cities ban

The law requires local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, told CBS News the estimated 200,000 undocumented immigrants in Florida should not be afraid of the new law if they don't break the law. Opponents of the bill, however, say it could be used to deport people for minor offenses like jaywalking.

There are currently no sanctuary cities in Florida.

Cheaper drugs

The law allows the creation of two prescription drug importation programs subject to strict regulation: one involving importing drugs from Canada and a second calling for drugs to be brought in from unspecified other countries to be chosen later.

It would allow Floridians to gain access to cheaper prescription drugs.

Combating opioid abuse

The new law allows Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody to collect information from the state's prescription drug database to help build a case for the state's lawsuits against companies she says have created the opioid addiction problem.

In addition to opioid manufacturers, Florida is also suing Walgreens and CVS, alleging they added to the opioid crisis by overselling painkillers and not taking precautions to stop illegal sales.

Home gardening

Floridians can grow fruit and vegetables in their front yards without fear of local government fines.

Growing hemp

Florida will establish an agricultural hemp program. Citrus farmers will now have an option of supplementing their groves with hemp.

Hemp is related to marijuana but only has trace amounts of THC, the chemical that makes people high. The plant has a wide range of uses, from ropes and clothing to building materials and animal feed.

Firefighter benefits

The new law allows for certain disability payments to firefighters and death benefits to their families if they die because of cancer or cancer treatments.

Counties will be responsible for most costs, an estimated $3 million collectively statewide. And, the state will pay about $920,000.

Autonomous vehicles

The new law means human-less self-driving vehicles could be hitting Florida streets soon.

It also helps pave the way for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft to expand the use of driverless vehicles.

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