Asm. Robert Smullen

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2291) requires public utility authorities (like water, gas, or electric providers operating under state law) to get approval from the state legislature before increasing existing rates or fees, or creating new ones. It directly affects these utility authorities by preventing them from unilaterally changing customer costs. The key provision mandates that any rate or fee change must be reviewed and approved by the state legislature first. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that certain legislative bills be scheduled for a floor vote if they reach specific co-sponsorship levels. Assembly bills must have at least 76 co-sponsors to be brought to the floor for a vote during the same session they were introduced, while Senate bills need 32 co-sponsors. The law applies to all bills introduced in the current legislative session and mandates that once the threshold is met, the bill must be considered on the floor. It directly affects legislators who introduce bills by setting minimum support requirements for floor consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts wood burning used for recreation, building heating, cooking, or food preparation from certain greenhouse gas emissions regulations. It directly affects rural residents and small communities who rely on wood-burning for these everyday purposes. The law modifies environmental conservation rules to exclude these specific wood-burning activities from compliance requirements tied to New York's 2019 climate law. The exemption applies immediately upon the bill's enactment.

Requires school districts to provide instructional programming and services in reading and literacy which are evidence based and aligned with state standards; requires teachers in grades pre-K through five to attend professional development courses in reading education.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to gradually lower New York personal income tax rates for residents over a ten-year period starting in 2026. It directly affects married couples filing jointly, surviving spouses, and heads of households by adjusting the tax brackets and rates they pay based on their income. The legislation phases in higher income thresholds for the lowest tax bracket while simultaneously reducing the percentage tax applied to income between $500,000 and $2.155 million. Additionally, the bill removes specific rules regarding the recapture of certain tax benefits. These changes are designed to reduce the overall tax liability for eligible New York residents as the new rates take effect each year.

Relates to youth programs sponsored by fire departments; provides that participants may respond to an emergency or hazardous activity, but shall remain in an appropriate and safe designated area that has been established by the chief or officer in charge; provides such participants cannot respond to an emergency on a vehicle using lights and/or sirens; provides such participants may not enter a burning structure; protects volunteer fire departments and fire companies from certain criminal and civil liability potentially arising from the operation of a youth program.

Prohibits the elimination of building systems or equipment used for the combustion of fossil fuels, including, natural gas, propane and fuel oil in new building construction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public and private middle and high schools (grades 7-12) to restrict participation on teams designated exclusively for female athletes to individuals assigned female at birth. It amends education law to prohibit schools from allowing anyone not assigned female at birth to join such teams, overriding conflicting rules or regulations. The provision applies to all interscholastic and intramural athletic teams competing against other schools. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with rules needed for implementation to be finalized before that date.

Authorizes the establishment of New York health care savings accounts to allow residents of the state to save money for the payment of qualified health care related expenses; relates to the use, maintenance, and tax liability of such accounts.

Relates to enacting the Come Home to Hunt Act, which provides for the purchase of a two-day hunting license for non-residents to hunt domestic game bird, migratory game bird, big game, and small game.