Asm. Keith Brown

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a residency requirement for assistant district attorneys (ADAs) in New York State. It amends the Public Officers Law to state that ADAs are no longer required to live within the specific county where they work. The change directly affects current and future ADAs, allowing them to reside anywhere in the state while serving in their role. The law change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 8971) creates a process to assess how New York schools teach Italian American heritage history. The state education commissioner must survey school districts on topics like which grades cover this history, curriculum used, and challenges faced. An advisory committee of appointed experts will then review the survey results and recommend improvements to K-12 curriculum and teaching resources. The committee must submit recommendations within two years and disband after that, with the entire process expiring three years after enactment. The bill directly affects school districts and state education officials, but does not mandate specific curriculum changes.

Requires the approval of the legislature for certain proposed rule changes relating to civil or criminal penalties, fiscal liability or responsibility, costs due by state residents, and changes to education curriculum.

Requires the use of a fire-resistant blanket, bag or container when charging a bicycle with electric assist or an electric scooter; requires sellers of such vehicles to include a fire-resistant blanket, bag, or container with the sale of each e-bike or e-scooter; establishes fines.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes when prosecutors must share evidence with the defense in criminal cases, requiring it to happen no later than 60 days before trial. For defendants in custody, prosecutors must complete this initial sharing within 20 days of arraignment. For defendants not in custody, the deadline is 35 days after arraignment, but still capped at 60 days before trial. The bill directly affects criminal defendants and prosecutors in New York state courts by setting a uniform pre-trial deadline for discovery.

Adds to the penalties for the underage use of cannabis the office of cannabis management contacting the person's parents and/or guardians and such person and their parents and/or guardians attending a cannabis diversion program.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases criminal penalties for assaulting, stalking, or harassing elected officials in New York State. It specifically targets acts causing serious injury to officials (including local leaders like town board or school board members) or threatening their safety, making these offenses felonies with higher penalties. Assault becomes a class C felony, aggravated assault a class B felony, stalking a class D felony, and certain harassment a class E felony. These changes apply to anyone who intentionally harms an official or their immediate family while they perform public duties.

Maddy summaryBill A 4221 prohibits all point source discharges (such as pipes, outlets, or disposal systems) into the Long Island Sound and Great South Bay. It directly affects businesses, industries, or facilities currently releasing waste or pollutants into these water bodies. The law bans both new construction and existing operations of such discharge systems, requiring compliance within one year of enactment. Implementation rules must be finalized before the effective date to enforce the prohibition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that batteries used in electric-assist bicycles and electric scooters must be tested and approved by specific accredited laboratories, such as Underwriters Laboratories or labs meeting international ISO/IEC standards. It mandates that these batteries display a certification seal from an approved lab, including those accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 or participating in the OSHA NRTL program. The law directly affects battery manufacturers and sellers of e-bikes and e-scooters, who must ensure compliance before selling or using these devices. The requirement takes effect immediately upon passage.

Requires the state pay taxes on the assessed value of properties of closed state prisons until such prison is reopened, used by another state agency, or is conveyed to a non-governmental entity.