Asm. Robert Smullen

Permits local boards of education to enter into contracts with a drive-sharing network of persons for reimbursement of transportation expenses for the conveyance of pupils residing in such school districts; authorizes the commissioner of education to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations; outlines certain requirements to which the local board of education shall adhere; makes related provisions.

Authorizes school districts to submit an opt-out waiver to the commissioner of education authorizing such districts to opt-out of certain zero-emission school bus requirements.

Prohibits certain noncitizens, foreign governments, and foreign entities from taking any real property that is zoned as industrial, light industrial, heavy industrial, residential agricultural, agricultural or rural agricultural.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York school districts to purchase or lease only zero-emission school buses, defined as electric vehicles powered by batteries or hydrogen fuel cells, starting July 1, 2027. The law mandates that any contractors providing transportation services must also follow this rule when buying new buses and includes provisions requiring the manufacturing and final assembly of these buses and their charging infrastructure to occur within the United States. To support this transition, the bill allows the state commissioner to grant up to 24-month extensions for districts unable to comply due to costs or infrastructure needs, while also requiring a cost-benefit analysis for each district. Additionally, the legislation includes protections for current employees and contractors to prevent job losses or benefits reductions as the fleet changes, and it requires the creation of workforce development plans to manage the transition.

Provides for the establishment of school speed limits of not less than fifteen miles per hour by the legislative body of any county or, if so delegated, by the legislative body of any locality within said county on a portion of a state highway passing a school building.

Extends the time period for tenancy rights from 30 days to 45 days of possession; adds squatting to the definition of criminal trespass in the third degree.

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.

Requires short-term rental companies to provide an annual inventory of short-term rental locations and capacities, and monthly utilization data for each county in the state.

Directs the division of homeland security and emergency services to conduct a study on the public safety implications of the electrification of buildings and transportation in the context of emergency response and to issue a report on the findings and recommendations as a result of such study; exempts emergency services vehicles and heavy equipment from the requirements of the climate leadership and community protection act of 2019; prohibits the use of battery packs which contain cobalt mined components for primary propulsion of emergency services vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates New York as a "purple heart state," a symbolic title with no direct impact on laws or government operations. The legislation adds a single line to the state statutes to include this designation, which takes effect on January 1st of the following year. Because the change is purely commemorative and does not alter existing policies or affect specific groups, it serves as an honorary recognition rather than a functional policy update.