Asm. Robert Smullen

Relates to permitting certain not-for-profit corporations engaged in engineering for certain conservation efforts to do business or provide professional engineering, land surveying, or professional geology services in the state.

Protects the identity of witnesses of hate crimes in discovery proceedings by requiring identifying information to be redacted, unless the court rules otherwise for good cause shown.

Establishes the New York state rural mobile communications fund to provide grants for the purpose of increasing cellular service in low- to no-coverage areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans to cover at least one abuse-deterrent opioid pain medication per active ingredient, ensuring patients can access FDA-approved options designed to reduce misuse. It limits cost-sharing (like copays) for these drugs to the same level as non-abuse-deterrent opioids, preventing insurers from increasing patient costs to comply. The law also prohibits prior authorization rules from forcing prescribers to use non-abuse-deterrent opioids to access safer alternatives. It directly affects patients prescribed opioids, insurers, and healthcare providers by mandating equitable coverage for abuse-deterrent formulations. The policy applies to all opioid analgesics approved by the FDA with abuse-deterrent labeling.

Establishes the organized militia as public employees working group to examine the potential costs and benefits of designating members of the New York state organized militia as public employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new duty for the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) ombudsperson: to hear grievances and complaints about child day care licenses issued under Social Services Law §390. It directly affects child day care centers, parents, and families who use these services by creating a formal channel for addressing licensing concerns. The key provision (new subdivision 8) requires the ombudsperson to participate in administrative hearings specifically related to these day care licenses. This change updates the ombudsperson’s responsibilities to include direct oversight of day care licensing disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $500 tax credit for state residents and businesses that purchase and install qualifying water filtration or purification systems in their homes or business locations within the state. The credit applies per residence or business and requires systems to remove impurities using physical barriers, chemical processes, or biological methods installed by a professional. Taxpayers can claim one credit per eligible location for new installations. The credit becomes available for tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and applies to systems installed after that date.

Establishes the nutrient inactivant application permit to allow for the use of products used for controlling phosphorus levels in lakes or ponds to prevent and inhibit harmful algal blooms.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York State election law to require all appointed election commissioners to be U.S. citizens. It directly affects individuals seeking or holding election commissioner positions by adding citizenship as a mandatory qualification. The key provision updates Section 3-200 of the election law to explicitly prohibit non-citizens from serving in this role, alongside existing requirements like being a registered voter and not holding other public offices. The change applies immediately upon enactment.

Directs the department of civil service to conduct a study on competitive examinations for public employment held by the state department of civil service and by municipal commissions to determine whether the contents of such examinations have a discriminatory effect on minority examinees; requires a report on such findings to be delivered to the governor and legislature.