GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  – Starting January 1, new laws are taking effect in Wisconsin, bringing changes that will impact state park visitors, electric vehicle (EV) owners, and healthcare professionals in the state. Here's a closer look at a few of the key changes for 2025. State Park Passes: A Year-Round Benefit One of the most anticipated changes is to the Wisconsin State Park pass system. Starting this year, when you purchase an annual state park sticker, it will be valid for a full 12 months from the date of purchase rather than expiring at the end of the calendar year. Previously, no matter when you bought the sticker, it would only be valid until December 31. This new system provides more flexibility and ensures you get a full year of access.  As park ranger Nathan Jacques explained, “As in the previous multiple years we’ve been doing a calendar year, you can buy the sticker from January, and it’s good all the way until December 31. With the new sticker type, you can buy it in May of 2025, and it will be good all the way until May 2026—12 months from the day that you purchase it.” Another benefit of the new system is for those who purchase the sticker later in the year. “Right now, we have people purchasing them in January, and obviously, it’s going to be good until January 2026. But it’s a 12-month sticker. It’s a rolling sticker instead of just a calendar year, so it’s a little more convenient for people who buy their sticker in the summertime or fall. You can get a whole year out of it instead of just three to four months,” said Jacques. EV Charging Tax: A New Cost for Electric Vehicle Owners Electric vehicle owners in Wisconsin will face a new cost starting this year. A new excise tax of three cents per kilowatt-hour will apply to all public electric vehicle charging stations. However, this tax will not affect charging stations at private homes. This law is designed to generate revenue to support the growing demand for EV infrastructure in the state. The tax will help fund improvements and ensure that public charging stations remain accessible for drivers across Wisconsin. Addressing the Healthcare Shortage: Provisional Licenses for International Physicians To address the state’s healthcare shortage, Wisconsin is introducing a new law that will allow physicians who have trained or practiced outside the U.S. to apply for a provisional license. This change aims to open the door for international physicians to practice in Wisconsin without having to repeat U.S. residency requirements. This law provides a pathway for foreign-trained doctors to help meet the state’s growing healthcare needs, offering much-needed support to medical facilities across Wisconsin. As these new laws take effect, they are expected to provide benefits ranging from increased park access for outdoor enthusiasts to new opportunities for healthcare workers, all while addressing the changing needs of Wisconsin’s residents.