Asm. Billy Jones

Maddy summaryThis bill grants peace officer status to Franklin County fire investigation unit members when performing their official duties related to fire investigations, extinguishment, and fire hazards. It authorizes them to make arrests and enforce fire-related laws within their specific scope of work. However, the bill explicitly states that this status does not permit carrying or possessing firearms without a separate license under state law. The provision applies only to fire investigation activities and does not alter other legal restrictions on firearm use.

Establishes an optional twenty-five year retirement plan for employees of the New York Power Authority who are a member of the public employee organization certified or recognized to represent employees of such authority.

Authorizes the New York state energy research and development authority to develop, implement, administer and operate a temporary middle income home energy assistance program; suspends certain taxes on home heating fuels; makes an appropriation therefor.

Establishes an optional twenty-five year retirement plan for certain public safety dispatchers, public safety telecommunicators, 911 operators, communications officers, police communication technicians, emergency services operators and emergency services dispatchers employed by the state, or a county or municipal emergency services department.

Maddy summaryBill A 3670 requires New York state and city public universities to grant academic credit to eligible veterans without charging fees. It directly affects veterans who are enrolled full-time as undergraduate students at these institutions and have completed military training courses meeting American Council on Education (ACE) standards. The bill mandates that institutions award unlimited credit toward a degree for qualifying military training, with no tuition or fees applied. This policy change simplifies credit recognition for veterans transitioning to civilian higher education.

Establishes the USDA construction tax credit for a percentage of the profit on any newly constructed home that is sold to someone qualifying with a USDA mortgage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated "volunteer firefighter training fund" in the state finance law and appropriates $1 million from the general fund to support it. The fund provides reimbursement to municipal fire departments for training costs incurred by volunteer firefighters. Fire departments can apply for these funds through the chief officer, with payments made via the state comptroller after legislative appropriation. The bill directly affects volunteer fire departments across New York municipalities by providing state funding for their training programs.

Relates to the establishment of special districts for general ambulance services in any county, city, town or village located within the Adirondack park; requires a report on issues of volunteer firefighter and ambulance services staffing.

Establishes law enforcement officer grant funds and firefighter grant funds to cover expenses related to hiring law enforcement officers and firefighters and equipment and resources for such officers and firefighters.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4718) makes permanent disability benefits for volunteer firefighters who develop heart or coronary artery conditions. It updates a 1977 law by removing an expiration date (previously set for June 30, 2025) that would have ended these benefits. The change directly affects volunteer firefighters whose heart-related disabilities occur after the law's effective date. The bill preserves existing benefits without creating new ones, ensuring continued support for eligible firefighters.