Asm. Steve Stern

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the TikTok application and website from all state-issued electronic devices, including government phones, laptops, and internet-capable equipment. It directly affects state employees, contractors, and any entity working with state agencies when using state-owned or leased devices. The law prohibits both downloading TikTok and accessing its website on these devices, with immediate effect. This policy change applies to all state agencies and their contracted partners without exception.

Excludes the five state-run veterans homes from assessments on their gross receipts received from all patient care services and other operating income; directs the Commissioner of Health to apply to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for any necessary waivers pursuant to federal law and regulation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax-advantaged savings accounts for small businesses, allowing them to deduct contributions (up to 10% of prior year's gross profits) and receive tax-free distributions during qualifying economic hardship. It directly affects eligible small businesses with 25 or fewer average full-time employees and under $250,000 annual net income. Key provisions include requiring hardship distributions to fund worker hiring or job retention, setting annual limits on qualified distributions, and mandating reinvestment plans for hardship withdrawals. The tax exemptions for contributions and qualified distributions begin in 2025, with penalties for misusing funds.

Increases the penalties for assault on police officers, peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians causing physical injury or serious physical injury.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands an existing tax credit for farmers to cover the cost of constructing housing for farm workers. It specifically allows farmers to claim the credit for standard construction materials and labor used to build residential housing occupied by workers employed in their farming operations. The change modifies the tax law to include housing construction under the "eligible costs" for the credit, which previously applied only to equipment and production-related property. This directly affects farmers who build housing for their agricultural workforce in New York. The policy change is a straightforward expansion of an existing tax incentive, with no new eligibility requirements beyond the current credit framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7728) allows renewable energy projects (like solar or wind farms) to connect directly to utility distribution systems at the sub-transmission level, rather than only at lower voltage levels. It requires these projects to meet all existing state and federal requirements, but streamlines the interconnection process to match the standard method used for higher-voltage transmission connections. This change directly affects renewable energy developers and utilities by making it easier for certain projects to connect to the grid, potentially reducing costs and delays for qualifying distributed generation. The bill amends the energy law to override conflicting rules, effective immediately upon passage.

Establishes a tax credit for electric vehicle charging stations task force to recommend a program for a tax credit for commercial property owners who install electric vehicle charging stations on such property.

Permits the sale of state lands to municipal corporations either without consideration or for such consideration and upon terms approved by the commissioner of general services without a public auction.

Creates a wholesale prescription drug importation program which complies with federal standards and regulations for the purpose of generating substantial savings for consumers.

Authorizes the New York state energy research and development authority to administer a program to provide grants or loans for the costs related to enabling switching residences with propane or fuel-oil heating systems to efficient electric heat pumps.