Well, what do you know, I can be wrong, but really I thought it would be the same throughout the US, really I can't base my tips off of what each state's laws are as there is no way that you can possibly know every state's laws if the the Federal Government will allow such a thing, the reason I kept saying so is that I have read the laws, as posted at my employer, which posts what is required by California Law and the federal section notes nothing of an exemption for "tipped positions" I do suppose that part may be omitted considering that it doesn't apply in California. By next year our minimum wage will be in the double digits in California.
I never have understood the reasons behind tipping either, really why can't the restaurants just pay a decent wage and say no tipping? I know there are a few locations here like that and those are always nice.