The end of the calendar year can mean a lot of different things. For benefits departments, it means a rush to compliance before all of the rules change when January ushers in. Labor Law Center just announced its annual list of the top five compliance issues benefits pros need to be aware of.

1. Minimum wage: Seven states bump up their minimum wage next year, all of which kick in Jan 1.

• Arizona: Up from $7.65 to $7.80 per hour for non-exempt employees. The minimum wage for tipped employees increases from $4.65 to $4.80 per hour, plus tips.
• Florida: Climbing from $7.67 to $7.79 per hour. The minimum wage for tipped employees increases from $4.65 to $4.77 per hour, plus tips.
• Montana: Jumps from $7.65 to $7.80 per hour for non-exempt employees.
• Ohio: Nudges from $7.70 to $7.85 per hour for non-tipped employees. For tipped employees the minimum wage increases from at least $3.85 to at least $3.93 per hour.
• Oregon: It switches from $8.80 to $8.95 per hour for non-exempt employees.
• Rhode Island: the minimum wage will advance from $7.40 to $7.75 per hour for non-exempt employees.
• Washington: Increase from $9.04 to $9.19 per hour for non-exempt employees.

New posters or updates to existing ones, of course, will be needed for employers in these states, while Colorado, Missouri and Vermont are still mulling changes to their minimum wages.