President Obama speaks to global audience at memorial service for Nelson Mandela
Washington (CNN) — Not everyone subscribes to a New Year’s resolution, but Americans will be required to follow new laws in 2014.
Some 40,000 measures taking effect range from sweeping, national mandates under Obamacare to marijuana legalization in Colorado, drone prohibition in Illinois and transgender protections in California.
Although many new laws are controversial, they made it through legislatures, public referendum or city councils and represent the shifting composition of American beliefs.
The biggest and most politically charged change comes at the federal level with the imposition of a new fee for those adults without health insurance.
For 2014, the penalty is either $95 per adult or 1% of family income, whichever results in a larger fine.
The Obamacare, or Affordable Care Act, mandate also requires that insurers cover immunizations and some preventive care.
Additionally, millions of poor Americans will receive Medicaid benefits starting January 1.
Thousands of companies will have to provide calorie counts for products sold in vending machines.
