Residents of Texarkana, Ark., and those who travel to that side of State Line Avenue should be aware of some new state laws going into effect today.

Those who cross the line to pick up some liquid refreshment will see a slight increase in beer prices.

The state’s 3-cent retail tax (on top of state and local sales tax) on beer expired July 1. But a new 1-cent retail tax (again, on top of state and local taxes) will be tacked on starting today.

The money goes toward state programs for abused and neglected children.

Better news for most of us is that the state forbids stores from issuing gift cards that expire in less than two years, and prohibits the stores from charging any inactivity or service fees during those two years.

Retailers have come under fire lately for what many see as too-strict requirements on gift cards and for charging fees to those who don’t use them within a certain timeframe.

Also as of today, doctors who perform abortions will be required to tell patients that no one can force them into getting the procedure. This is on top of other mandated information aimed at delaying or deterring women from having an abortion. The new law pointedly doesn’t tell them that no one can stop them from getting the procedure.

For those residents and visitors with more nefarious purposes—you better watch out.

A new law allows homeowners to use deadly force in self-defense not only inside their homes, but around them as well.

That means an intruder can face the business end of a shotgun or some other weapon if they are up to no good in someone’s yard, garage or outbuilding.

With any luck, this will help deter such unwanted visits from those whose intentions aren’t the best.

The Legislature responded to an increase in metal thefts by requiring recyclers to collect photo IDs and addresses of people who sell them scrap. The rise in scrap metal prices has meant more thefts of everything from copper pipes and beer kegs.

If you have a dog, better keep him or her under control. It’s now a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail if your pooch puts the bite on someone.

Would-be paparazzi should watch out as well.

Beginning today, it is illegal to snap photos up a women’s skirt or down her blouse—without her consent, of course.

Dubbed by some wags as the “Paris Hilton” law, the idea is to protect women in public places from those who regard their cell phone cameras as a great way to get some indiscreet candid shots for their personal collections or for posting to Websites devoted to such things.

And new mothers will enjoy a bit more freedom to breast feed starting today.

Before today, a woman could be charged with indecent exposure for breast-feeding in a public place. Now women are allowed to breast-feed a child “in a public place or any place where other individuals are present.”

One hopes the ban on sneaky snapshots applies in such situations as well.