Asm. Ken Blankenbush

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3223) would allow eligible veterans to fish for free in all state parks managed by state agencies. It specifically covers veterans who served on active duty with an honorable discharge, including those with qualifying conditions or specific LGBT veteran status as defined in existing law. The state office responsible for parks would need to create rules to implement this free access, with the policy taking effect 90 days after enactment. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet become law.

Provides that for taxable years beginning on and after January first, two thousand twenty-six, a resident taxpayer who serves as an active volunteer firefighter or as a volunteer ambulance worker shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed equal to eight hundred dollars; provides for a real property tax exemption under certain circumstances to an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service residing in such city, village, town, school district, special district, fire district or county.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York's Department of Public Health to annually report on food security trends at the county level. It directs the department to include the USDA's standard six-item food security survey in its existing health tracking system and publicly post the results online each year. The law directly affects New York residents by creating a state-level tracking system to monitor food insecurity, replacing the discontinued federal USDA report. This provides lawmakers and community organizations with updated, localized data to inform decisions about nutrition assistance programs and resource allocation.

Provides that no individual or entity shall be charged a central business district toll during any period of strike by an employee organization, work stoppage or declared state of emergency that causes a stoppage for more than twenty-four hours or significant delays of any metropolitan transportation authority, metro north commuter railroad, New York city transit authority, or Long Island railroad services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary fuel tax holiday for motor fuel, diesel, and fuel gas that lasts until hostilities with Iran end and the Strait of Hormuz reopens. It directly affects retail sellers, such as gas stations, and utility companies by exempting them from specific state sales taxes during this period. To ensure consumers see lower prices, the law requires businesses to reduce their fuel rates by the amount of taxes they would have otherwise paid. Additionally, the bill allows these businesses to advertise the tax-free status of their fuel and provides a process for them to receive tax credits for prepaid amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the photo image fee for veterans who update their driver's license or state ID card to include a veteran notation. It specifically removes the fee when the only change is adding the veteran designation, which identifies the holder as a U.S. armed forces veteran. The policy applies directly to veterans seeking this license/ID amendment, ensuring no fee is charged for this specific notation. The change affects all veterans meeting the criteria under existing law, streamlining the process for this administrative update.

Provides for distinctive license plates for gold star family members; eliminates the registration fee for gold star parent and gold star family member distinctive license plates.

Enacts the "brightness emission analysis for motorist safety (BEAMS) act" which requires the department of transportation with participating institutions conduct a study on LED headlights.

Creates the New York health benefit and cost commission to review and report on utilization rates, public and patient health effects, and impact on premiums and access to health care and health coverage of all existing and proposed mandated health benefits.

Authorizes all municipalities, with the consent of the county and the governing body of such municipality, to join a county self-funded or self-insured health plan; requires certification.