Asm. Marianne Buttenschon

Maddy summaryThis bill sets strict limits on THC potency in cannabis products. It prohibits selling cannabis flowers with more than 15% THC or other cannabis products (including hemp extracts) with more than 25% THC. The law applies directly to cannabis producers, processors, and retailers who sell these products. Violations are punishable as class B misdemeanors, and the law takes effect immediately.

Extends eligibility for the farm employer overtime tax credit to certain professional employer organizations that are in a contractual relationship with an eligible farm employer.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5481) makes a minor technical correction to a reference in the penal law. It updates a typo in section 250.70 of the penal law, changing "section [270.71] 250.71" to simply "section 250.71" in the opening paragraph. The correction ensures the legal citation accurately matches the referenced section. This is purely a procedural fix to the law's text and does not change any legal requirements or affect any individuals or groups.

Requires a school library media specialist in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high school with one such specialist being employed full-time in schools with more than five hundred students and two such specialists being employed full-time in schools with more than two thousand students.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Small Business Environmental Support Office within the state department to directly assist small businesses navigating environmental regulations. The office provides ombudsman services, gathers small business input on pollution prevention and compliance with environmental laws, helps resolve disputes with regulators, and connects businesses to financial assistance programs and pollution prevention resources. It requires the department to annually report to the governor and legislature on the number of small businesses served and regional distribution. The office specifically protects the confidentiality of information shared by small businesses seeking assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows school districts to provide property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters' primary residences within their district. To qualify, firefighters must be certified members of a local fire company for at least five years, reside in the district, and live in the property as their main home. The exemption covers up to $12,000 in tax value (adjusted by state rates) and requires school districts to adopt local rules through public hearings. Firefighters with 20+ years of service may qualify for a lifetime exemption if their residence remains in the district.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires police officers to include each party's insurance information in official traffic accident reports. It directly affects drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians involved in accidents reported to law enforcement. The key change amends existing reporting rules to mandate that insurance policy details be documented alongside other accident data like vehicle types and injury information. This does not alter insurance laws but ensures this information is systematically collected in police records for all reported accidents.

Enacts the Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling crimes against public protection professionals act; designates certain crimes against public protection professionals; enhances penalties.

Relates to creating the health emergency response data system, which collects information and statistical data relating to public health emergencies in order to assist the department of health, other government entities, health care providers, and the public in understanding and responding to public health emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1094) permits licensed hunters and wildlife officials to use drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) to locate dead, wounded, or injured big game animals, as authorized by the Department of Environmental Conservation. It directly affects licensed hunters and wildlife management personnel who track game. The law requires the department to establish regulations for drone certification and their specific use in tracking, including for bears under existing rules. The policy change takes effect 90 days after enactment, allowing regulated drone use for wildlife tracking without altering hunting regulations.