Asm. Michael Cashman

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Nassau County to optionally provide disability coverage for its probation officers. If enacted, it would require the county to pay full salary and cover all medical costs if a probation officer is injured or becomes ill while performing job duties. The coverage would apply specifically to Nassau County probation officers (not officers in other counties) and prohibits medical providers from billing officers for covered treatments. The bill amends existing municipal law to include county probation officers under the same disability coverage provisions already available to other public safety personnel in Nassau County.

Gives state income tax credit to volunteer firefighters and members of a volunteer ambulance corps in good standing up to $2500; must be in good standing for a minimum of five years and maintain continued eligibility.

Establishes the rural suicide prevention council to identify barriers to mental health and substance use treatment and prevention services and other policies, practices, resources, services, and potential legislation that aim to reduce death by suicide and suicide attempts and acknowledge the demographic and cultural differences in rural communities; makes related provisions.

Requires consideration of evidence relating to the economic impact of major increases of rates or charges upon consumers and the areas affected by such increases of rates or charges prior to approval of any such rates or charges; establishes minimum data to be considered by the public service commission relating to such economic impact.

Requires a pharmacy benefit manager to pay a participating pharmacy at minimum at the national average drug acquisition cost (NADAC) rate, or at the pharmacy acquisition cost rate if greater or there is not a NADAC rate, plus a professional dispensing fee that is at minimum the professional dispensing fee paid under the state medical assistance program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the state to issue special deer management permits in the northern zone, enabling hunters to take one additional deer beyond their regular license limit until December 31, 2027. The legislation authorizes the environmental conservation department to create rules defining specific areas within the northern zone where these permits apply. It also repeals an existing provision that previously restricted similar permit issuance in that region. Hunters in the northern zone would be directly affected by this change, while the department gains flexibility to manage deer populations in balance with available habitat.

Provides that beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, certain graduate students shall be required to pay 25% of all current and future mandatory university fees; provides that in the 2027-2028 academic year and thereafter, no mandatory university fees shall be charged to certain graduate students and adjunct staff, with the exclusion of the graduate student association student activity fee.

Requires the commissioner of the department of transportation, in consultation with the commissioner of environmental conservation to establish a set of comprehensive road salt reduction policies and to design a road salt applicator training program; requires the department, every state agency and state contractor which uses road salt to use such training materials to train and inform employees on the best practices of using such materials.

Establishes a developmental disability, mental health, and behavioral condition community stakeholder committee to examine effective evidence-based developmental, mental, and behavioral health screening methods for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the statewide goal for service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises to secure eight percent of state contracts, increasing the current target of six percent. The change directly affects state procurement departments and veteran-owned businesses by raising the participation benchmark they are expected to meet. By amending the veterans' services law, the legislation sets a new numerical target for future contract awards without altering the underlying process for selecting vendors.