Asm. Keith Brown

Provides a personal income tax credit in the amount of any fishing and/or hunting fees paid by members of the United States armed forces in active service.

Includes sporting events within the definition of places of public entertainment and amusement for purposes of wrongful refusal of admission to and ejection from places of public entertainment and amusement.

Makes the commission of rape, a criminal sexual act, aggravated sexual abuse or course of sexual conduct against a child less than 12 years of age or against a child less than 14 years of age by a person 21 years old or more a class A-I felony; eliminates references to such offenses in less severe crimes; includes such offenses within murder in the second degree for purposes of sentencing to life imprisonment without parole for murder committed in the course of committing such sex offenses against a child; designates such sex offenses against a child as sexually violent offenses for the purposes of sex offender registration; requires every sex offender convicted of such an offense to be subject to lifetime electronic monitoring by the division of criminal justice services upon release from prison.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7032) creates a new felony charge for "aggressive driving" in New York. It defines aggressive driving as performing two or more specific dangerous actions, such as speeding more than 20 mph over the limit, suddenly stopping to interfere with traffic, or other maneuvers that unreasonably disrupt highway use. A first conviction is a class E felony, and a second conviction is a class D felony. The law directly affects drivers who commit multiple aggressive driving violations, imposing serious criminal penalties. The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York's environmental department to develop and distribute public educational materials about the health and environmental impacts of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, specifically addressing effects on air, water, and soil. It mandates that these materials be posted on the department's website, covering topics like pollution risks and health concerns linked to battery manufacturing and use. The law applies directly to the public and the department, focusing solely on raising awareness through accessible information. It does not impose new regulations on manufacturers or alter existing pollution standards. This is a procedural education measure, not a policy change affecting businesses or emissions limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new class A-1 felony offense for selling controlled substances (from Schedules I-V) that directly causes someone's death. It specifically applies to individuals who violate public health law by selling, giving, or supplying these drugs, resulting in a fatality. The key provision defines this as the most serious felony charge, replacing or adding to existing penalties for drug-related deaths. The law takes effect 30 days after enactment, with necessary rule changes allowed before that date. It does not affect other drug offenses or non-fatal cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all mechanically propelled vessels (boats with engines) to install propeller guards around each propeller. A propeller guard is defined as a device that encases the propeller to prevent accidental contact with people near the vessel. The law applies to every such vessel operating in New York waters and takes effect one year after enactment. The requirement aims to enhance safety by physically blocking access to rotating propellers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 6192) establishes a 5-year moratorium on the land application, sale, and distribution of biosolids and products containing them for agricultural or landscaping use (like fertilizer or soil amendment). It directly affects wastewater treatment facilities, farmers, and businesses using biosolids-derived products, banning their use on crops, parks, golf courses, and similar non-crop lands. The moratorium excludes landfill disposal of biosolids and certain composts made from food waste, manure, or crop residues (not biosolids). Violations carry fines up to $2,500 per offense plus daily penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific segment of Interstate 87 (from Yonkers to Guilderland) as the "General Colin Powell Thruway" for commemorative purposes. It does not change the highway's official name or affect transportation operations, as the signage will be ceremonial only. The bill requires the transportation commissioner to install and maintain commemorative signs along this route. This is a symbolic honor for General Colin Powell, with no policy or regulatory changes to the highway system.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of most cannabinoid hemp products where the ratio of CBD to THC is below 15:1. It excludes flower and topical products from this requirement. If CBD is not the primary cannabinoid, the combined ratio of other cannabinoids (excluding THC) to THC must still meet or exceed 15:1. The law applies to sellers of these products and takes effect immediately.