It's the new year, and with it comes new laws for motorists.

The hottest topic among California drivers is the law that will make it illegal to talk on a cell phone with one hand and drive with the other. But that law isn't scheduled to go into effect until July 1.

As of today, however, it is against the law to smoke with a minor in the car and to spray coat license plates.

Still, the cell phone law is the biggie, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Jaret Paulson. As mobile phones have become necessities, motorists have gotten comfortable -- perhaps too comfortable -- driving and talking.

"Although the law doesn't go into effect until July 1, we are giving the public plenty of warning and time to purchase the equipment they need to make their cell phone hands-free," Paulson said. "We have been tracking the stats on accidents involving people using cell phones. And it is a factor in many accidents. It's a distraction from driving, just like eating or shaving."

Come July 1, officers will pull over any motorist they spot who has cell phone up to his or her ear, he said.

The law will go one step further when it comes to drivers under 18. It will be illegal for a minor to use a cell phone -- even if it is hands free -- or any other mobile service device while driving.

"However, we can't pull over a driver violating this law just because they look under 18. There has to be some other traffic violation before we can do a traffic stop," Paulson said.

There is an exemption if the minor is using a cell phone for an emergency.

Where there's smoke...

In the new year, there will be no more lighting up a smoke while cruising along the roadway if junior is in the car.

While it is against the law to smoke with a child in the vehicle, officers cannot stop a motorist based on that fact alone.

"It's called a secondary violation. We can only make the initial stop for a primary violation such as speeding, seat belt violation or running a red light," Paulson said. "If, after we make the stop, we see a lit cigarette in the ashtray or smell cigarette smoke in the car, then we can proceed to issue a violation for the smoking issue."

Motorists trying to outsmart the electronic devices used to read license plate numbers of those running red lights have run into a roadblock this year.

The new law prohibits the use or sale of a spray coating product that blocks electronic equipment from reading license plate numbers, Paulson said.

"People are trying to get around photo enforcement spraying their license plates with a coating that can be purchased at the store. The electronic equipment that reads license plate numbers of red light runners cannot pick up the number because of that coating," Paulson said. "They also use it to block cameras at toll booths from reading their license plate number."

Other new laws make it illegal to operate electric personal mobility vehicles, such as Segways, an unsafe speeds for conditions.

Also bicyclists must use lights and reflectors while riding on a highway, sidewalk or bikeway.

Here are some of the other laws that take effect with the start of the new year:

* Lights, water -- The California Energy Commission has until the end of 2008 to develop tougher efficiency standards for general purpose lights. A $250 million subsidy program has gotten the OK. It's meant to encourage installation of solar water heaters and require the Energy Commission to establish water-efficiency standards for the design of new buildings.

* Homeless shelters -- A new law is intended to remove roadblocks for homeless shelters by requiring cities and counties to designate areas where shelters can be located without obtaining a conditional use permit.

* Flood control -- Cities and counties could be forced to cover a share of the damage caused by flooding if they approve new development without considering flood risks.

* Gang parenting -- Courts could require the parents or guardians of gang members to attend parenting classes under a new law that attempts to prevent first-time juvenile offenders from committing additional crimes.

* Illegal immigrants -- New legislation prevents cities and counties from requiring landlords to serve as surrogate border patrol agents by obtaining and reporting the immigration status of their tenants. The measure also prohibits ordinances preventing landlords from renting to illegal immigrants.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.