DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Most of the measures approved in the last legislative session will take effect Sunday, a day on which Iowans can look out for hundreds of changes to state law.
The Legislature approved 226 measures last session, three of which were vetoed by Gov. Chet Culver.
Lawmakers enacted some high-profile laws more quickly, such as the first of two $1.05 increases in the state's minimum wage and a $1 boost to the cigarette tax. But most of the laws will take effect Sunday, with the start of the state's new budget year.
Here are some subjects addressed by new laws:
BEER KEGS - Lawmakers required retailers who sell kegs of beer to affix identification tags so the purchaser can be traced if the keg shows up at a party with underage drinkers.
BULLYING - The Legislature enacted new protections for gay students, adding sexual orientation to the list of items for which students are protected from bullying. Schools are required to prepare a plan detailing how they intend to protect students and report any incidents to the state. That requirement will give state officials a chance to get a handle on the extent of the problem, backers said.
CAR TITLE LOANS - New restrictions on car title loans limit interest rates to 21 percent.
EDUCATION - Lawmakers approved $60 million over four years to make quality preschool available to all of the state's 4-year-olds. Preschool is voluntary and would not supplant existing preschool programs.
EXOTIC PETS - People can no longer keep a number of exotic animals as pets. The list includes alligators, bears, wolves and lions. People who now have such animals can keep them but must pay a hefty fee.
GAY RIGHTS - Lawmakers added gays and lesbians to the protections of the state's civil rights laws. The new law bans discrimination in employment, housing and a host of other areas because of sexual orientation.
"It sends a very strong message," said Ralph Rosenberg, who heads the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, which enforces the state's civil rights laws.
Republicans were largely critical of the bill and they included an amendment making it clear the new law doesn't change existing laws that define marriage as between a man and a woman.
INTERNET HUNTING - The Legislature banned Internet hunting despite acknowledging that such a practice has never taken place in Iowa and may not exist anywhere in the nation. Iowa joined 25 other states when it agreed to ban the practice.
VOTING PAPER TRAIL - Lawmakers required that election officials maintain a "paper trail" of all ballots cast, allowing for a physical recount should a dispute erupt.
VOTER REGISTRATION - Lawmakers approved a measure easing the state's voter registration laws. Previously, voter registration was closed 10 days before an election, but under the new law, voters can register up to and including Election Day.
The bill's supporters said voters are increasingly tuning in late to election campaigns. They said easing registration requirements could increase turnout by as much as 5 percent and especially benefit young and minority voters.
Critics worried about fraud, with Senate Republican Leader Mary Lundby warning the measure puts the state "on a slippery slope." | 
