Asm. Michael Cashman

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9682) adjusts tax rates for small businesses in New York by lowering the business income tax rate and modifying deductions. It sets a 4% tax rate for small businesses with annual income under $290,000 for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. For businesses earning between $290,000 and $390,000, it replaces previous calculations with new formulas, including a base amount plus tiered percentages on income above specific thresholds. The changes directly affect small business owners whose income falls within these ranges, reducing their tax burden compared to prior rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9685) requires police officers or public servants to provide a written deposition detailing the factual basis for an arrest to defendants charged with minor offenses under "simplified information" (a streamlined charging process for less serious crimes). If a defendant makes a timely written request before pleading guilty or before trial begins (within 30 days of court appearance date), the court must order the officer to serve this deposition to the defendant or their attorney within 30 days or 5 days before trial, whichever comes first. It also clarifies that requests remain timely if the court appearance notice is defective, extending the deadline to 30 days after a not-guilty plea is entered or after notice of the right to a deposition is provided. This directly affects defendants in minor criminal cases by giving them earlier access to the officer's factual justification for the charges.

Establishes the office of Native American affairs to act as a centralized office for Native American nations to access information on state programs that are provided to Native Americans.

Relates to creating an exemption to the snowmobile registration requirements by creating a seasonal trail pass pilot program for Canadian citizens where registered Canadian snowmobilers will pay applicable fees but no additional registration materials are utilized.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state board of pharmacy to include one member who represents the drug or medical device manufacturing industry. The board, which currently has ten members (nine licensed pharmacists and two pharmacy technicians), would now have one seat reserved for an industry representative. This change modifies the board's composition to ensure direct input from manufacturers on pharmacy-related matters like licensing and professional conduct. The bill does not alter the board's responsibilities but adds a new stakeholder perspective to its membership structure.

Authorizes real property taxing jurisdictions to grant a partial tax exemption for property purchased by a clinician in a clinician shortage area, as determined by the commissioner of health, which will be such clinician's primary residence and they will practice in such shortage area; provides state aid to taxing jurisdictions which grant the exemption to the extent of the tax savings provided to clinicians.

Establishes state procurement goals for New York state products throughout state agencies and private entities performing state contracts; provides that every year after enactment, a certain percentage of products purchased by state agencies will be New York state products, with such percentage threshold increasing each year up until five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a special license plate for combat veterans who served in the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, and for their spouses (if the veteran hasn't already received a plate). To qualify, applicants must provide proof of service and pay a one-time $10 fee on top of the regular registration fee. The state would only issue these plates if costs are covered - either through a $6,000 surety bond or by securing at least 200 pre-orders with the fee - and collected fees would fund the plate program's design and production.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Franklin County fire investigation unit officers as peace officers when performing duties related to fire investigations, extinguishment, and fire perils. It grants them the authority to enforce fire-related laws within their specific responsibilities under the county's fire department. However, the bill explicitly states they cannot carry or possess firearms without a separate license issued under penal law. This change affects only Franklin County fire investigators during fire-related official actions.