5 New Laws Start October 1 — and One of Them Could Cost Seniors Their Home

On October 1, five new laws take effect — and one of them decides whether a senior who has fallen behind on property taxes gets to keep the house. Here is each one in plain English: California's new 3-day return on used cars, Connecticut's $88 left-lane ticket, Maryland's new tax-sale protections, Alabama's phone driver's license that won't work at the polls, and what Washington's new budget year changes for your food benefits and your retirement money before December 31. FREE HELP • Maryland State Tax Sale Ombudsman: 410-767-4994, toll free 833-732-8411 • Everywhere else: call your county tax office and ask what property tax help it has for seniors, and how to apply • On SNAP and 60 or older? Ask your SNAP office about the medical expense deduction CHAPTERS 0:00 A 94-year-old lost her home over a tax bill 1:29 Change 1: California's 3-day used-car return 3:29 Change 2: Connecticut's left lane ($88) 4:33 Change 3: Maryland's tax sale rules 7:36 Change 4: Alabama's phone license — not for voting 8:53 Change 5: Washington — SNAP and your year-end deadlines 12:42 The whole video on one checklist 13:54 October 14 and October 15 SOURCES Tyler v. Hennepin County (2023): U.S. Supreme Court — supremecourt.gov California SB 766, the CARS Act (operative October 1, 2026): leginfo.legislature.ca.gov Connecticut Public Act 25-65, the left-lane law (from October 1, 2026): cga.ct.gov Maryland HB 753, Chapter 777 of 2026 (from October 1, 2026), and Chapter 231 of 2025 (the $1,000 threshold): mgaleg.maryland.gov Maryland Homeowner Protection Program and Tax Sale Ombudsman: dat.maryland.gov Alabama HB 110, digital driver licenses (from October 1, 2026): alison.legislature.state.al.us Federal funding through December 11: the continuing appropriations law signed September 2, 2026 — congress.gov SNAP cost-of-living adjustments for fiscal year 2027: USDA — usda.gov 2026 charitable distribution limit ($111,000), the $6,000 senior deduction and RMD rules: IRS — irs.gov 2026 IRMAA income brackets: CMS — cms.gov ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Every video is researched from official rules and the reporting listed above. This channel is not affiliated with Medicare, Social Security, CMS or any insurance company, and does not sell insurance. General information only, not advice for your personal situation.