Asm. Michael Cashman

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated $200 million capital fund to support municipal water and wastewater infrastructure. The fund, established within the state comptroller's office, will receive money from the general fund and be used for capital projects like constructing, repairing, or upgrading water treatment systems. Municipalities statewide can apply for grants from this fund to finance these infrastructure improvements. The bill specifies that funds will be distributed through a grant program managed by the comptroller and tax commissioner, with payments made via state audit processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for rural home health care providers to cover actual transportation costs incurred while delivering services in designated rural areas. It directly affects home health agencies providing in-home care to Medicaid recipients in rural locations, requiring reimbursement to include specific costs for rural service delivery beyond standard rates. The key provision mandates the health commissioner to develop separate methodologies for calculating these rural transportation costs, distinct from direct care costs, and apply this to all covered home health services, including those under federal waivers. This change aims to address financial barriers rural providers face due to higher travel expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state Department of Corrections to notify the legislature at least 365 days before closing any correctional facility or institution, including providing justification for the closure. The legislature can request additional information and must approve any closure it deems unjustified by a majority vote in both chambers. It directly affects state correctional facilities and the legislative process for facility closures. The law aims to ensure transparency and legislative oversight before any facility closure takes effect.

Extends tuition free course benefits to volunteer firefighters or voluntary ambulance workers; authorizes the board of trustees of the state university to regulate the conferral of such benefits.

Authorizes the villages of Malone, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, in the county of Franklin, to employ retired former members of the division of state police as part-time village police officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9658) waives renewal fees for vehicle operator licenses for eligible veterans. It directly affects veterans who served in active U.S. military or naval service during a war, were honorably discharged, or were furloughed to the reserve. The bill adds a new rule to vehicle and traffic law requiring license renewal fees to be waived for these veterans. It takes immediate effect and applies to all gender identities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's definition of "military status" to explicitly include veterans who have completed their service. It directly affects veterans by ensuring they are protected under existing anti-discrimination laws that cover current military personnel. The key change adds language stating "military status" includes those "released from such service," expanding coverage beyond active duty to include all veterans. The bill makes no new funding or programs, only clarifying who is protected from discrimination based on military service.

Establishes the Adirondack park affordable housing task force; requires such task force to conduct a comprehensive review of affordable housing issues within the Adirondack park and to make recommendations for addressing such issues.

Permits the principal of any high school to allow any local fire department, upon request, to enter the school for the purpose of fire department junior recruitment, including, but not limited to: making presentations; disseminating literature; and answering questions by students.

Relates to bioheating fuel requirements; allows B100 or B99 biofuel and R100 or R99 renewable fuel to be used to blend with or replace fossil heating oil in order to create bioheating fuel.