Asm. Sarahana Shrestha

Establishes the build up New York pilot program to provide grants to eligible municipalities that construct new accessory dwelling unit housing projects built on top of existing buildings that utilize mass timber and serve certain households; establishes the mass timber for affordable housing program to provide tax credits for eligible taxpayers who use mass timber in certain new construction or major retrofits of existing buildings that primarily serve households up to one hundred fifty percent of the area median income; establishes tax credits for mass timber production.

Permits the state and local municipalities to purchase from sources other than the correctional industries program of the department of corrections and community supervision.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state commissioner of transportation to create an online website where the public can report issues on public highways. The law defines reportable defects to include potholes, debris, graffiti, and maintenance problems, and mandates that reported locations remain visible on the site until repairs are made. Users can request updates on repair status for state roads, while the commissioner must notify municipalities when defects are reported on local roads. The changes will take effect approximately 120 days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a compensation program for SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) and cash assistance recipients who had their benefits stolen or defrauded. It creates a dedicated $1.5 million fund (funded by a one-time appropriation from the general fund) to pay eligible individuals after fraud is verified by state agencies. The program requires an application process available in English and the ten most common non-English languages spoken in New York State.

Enacts the "bird safe buildings act" directing the commissioner of general services to incorporate practices and strategies to reduce bird fatality resulting from collisions with certain state-owned or state-leased buildings, and for other purposes; requires the commissioner to develop a design guide that includes features, methods and strategies, and best practices for reducing bird fatalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-funded program to provide health insurance coverage to New Yorkers who lose eligibility for federal subsidies due to their immigration status. It establishes a new state premium assistance program that offers financial help equivalent to federal tax credits for lawfully present individuals who are currently ineligible for federal aid. Additionally, the legislation expands eligibility for existing state coverage to include more noncitizens and increases income limits for pregnant individuals and their newborns, with some provisions funded directly by state money regardless of federal approval.

Establishes farm security resiliency grant awards for farm employers who have suffered eligible losses as a result of eligible weather conditions or events; establishes the farm security resiliency grant board to make recommendations to the commissioner of agriculture and markets regarding applications for farm security resiliency grant awards.

Exempts school district providers of special services or programs for preschool students with disabilities from having to obtain program approval from the commissioner of education.

Increases the length of the term of office for members of the legislature from two to four years with no member serving more than sixteen years; imposes term limits on the governor, lieutenant-governor, comptroller, and attorney-general.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York public schools to provide plant-based food options upon request by a student or their parent/guardian. Schools must offer these meat-free alternatives (defined as USDA-recognized meat substitutes) at no extra cost compared to standard meals, and include this option in all food service descriptions. The policy applies to every meal or snack the student participates in, while allowing students to choose non-plant-based options if they prefer. It does not mandate schools to offer plant-based meals to all students, only to those who specifically request them.