Asm. Scott Bendett

Establishes a tax credit for individuals who serve or are employed as a direct support professional, or direct care worker, up to five thousand dollars for taxpayers who make less than fifty thousand dollars and phased out for individuals who make over one hundred thousand dollars.

Includes a town, acting through its dog control officers acting at the behest of a police officer to seize an animal, as an impounding organization for the purpose of authorizing such town to file a petition requesting that the person from whom an animal is seized or the owner of the animal to post a security.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New York State's earned income tax credit (EITC) for tax returns filed in 2025 and later, raising the credit percentage from 30% to 45% of the federal EITC amount. It directly affects low-to-moderate income workers and families who qualify for the state EITC, primarily those with children or who meet income thresholds. The bill adds new payment options: small credits ($200 or less) are paid as a lump sum, medium credits ($200-$2,400) as three quarterly payments, and larger credits ($2,400+) as monthly installments. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and are implemented through updated tax law provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4766) requires police officers to make an arrest when they have reasonable cause to believe a hate crime has occurred, rather than attempting to mediate or reconcile the parties involved. It directly affects law enforcement officers and individuals accused of committing hate crimes under New York's criminal procedure law. The key provision adds a new subdivision to Section 140.10, mandating arrests for hate crimes upon reasonable cause, effective immediately upon enactment. This changes the standard procedure for officers responding to suspected hate crimes by removing discretion to avoid arrest.

Requires municipal corporations to approve any facility intending to house asylum seekers prior to their establishment; establishes a review process that incorporates notice to the public and the opportunity for the public to comment; renders a decision within 8 weeks.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2393) doubles the annual funding cap for the child care tax credit program from $25 million to $50 million per year for businesses providing child care services in New York. It directly affects eligible businesses that qualify under existing rules by increasing the total pool of funds available for their tax credits. The key mechanism requires the state Office to allocate the $50 million pro-rata (based on proportion) to all qualifying business entities that demonstrate eligibility. This change applies to the 2023-2024 fiscal period and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New York's wildlife hunting regulations to allow crossbow use for certain hunting activities. It removes a previous prohibition banning 12-13 year olds from hunting with crossbows (repealing section 11-0929's specific language) and adds technical specifications for crossbows, including minimum 14-inch arrows, 100-pound draw weight, and safety requirements. The bill affects hunters, particularly youth hunters and crossbow users, by expanding hunting methods for deer and bear during designated seasons. It repeals outdated provisions while establishing new rules for crossbow use under the environmental conservation law.

Requires the state board of elections to participate in the systematic alien verification for entitlements (SAVE) program, administered by the United States citizenship and immigration services agency, to verify that a person who is either registered or registering to vote is a United States citizen.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows cities, towns, and other local governments to use existing contracts awarded by federal, state, or other local entities for services like equipment maintenance or repairs. It requires these contracts to be based on the lowest price or "best value" and mandates that smaller local governments first adopt a local law approving "best value" contracts. The bill does not change existing requirements for minority and women-owned business programs.

Maddy summaryBill A 160 prohibits registered sex offenders from entering, being within 500 feet of, or being located in any state park or municipal-owned park. This law directly affects individuals required to register under the state’s sex offender registry by restricting their access to public park spaces. The key provision creates a 500-foot buffer zone around all state and locally owned parks, preventing registered sex offenders from being present within that radius. The bill was referred to the Correction committee on January 8, 2025, and is pending further legislative action.