Asm. Brian Miller

Maddy summaryThis bill waives the $25 processing fee for criminal history background checks required by mentoring programs operated by not-for-profit corporations. It requires these programs to collect fingerprints but eliminates the standard fee they would otherwise pay to the state. The exemption applies specifically to formal mentoring programs matching youth with adult volunteers for developmental support, as defined in the law. This directly affects qualifying not-for-profit mentoring organizations seeking background checks for volunteers or staff.

Prohibits insurer from increasing auto insurance premiums upon renewal for persons 60 years of age or over based solely on the ground of the insured's age.

Requires orders of custody to state whether law enforcement is authorized to remove a child or children in order to comply with and enforce such orders.

Establishes a supplemental household and dependent care credit payment for taxpayers who are eligible for certain household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment.

Relates to protecting the communication rights of individuals with disabilities; provides that each person with a disability has the right to communicate in their preferred manner.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates three types of specialty license plates for New York residents: one for current members of the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division, one for supporters of the division, and one for veterans. Applicants must verify their status (membership, support, or veteran status) and pay a $20 annual fee, with the revenue funding plate production and marketing. The state motor vehicle department requires a $6,000 bond for plate production unless 200+ orders are received upfront, with excess funds supporting a scholarship program. The bill directly affects eligible military members, supporters, and veterans who register vehicles in New York.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state task force to study the feasibility of growing crops for cellulosic ethanol production, a renewable fuel that substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional ethanol. The task force, to be formed by the Agriculture Commissioner with members from environmental and conservation agencies, must identify optimal crops and locations within the state and submit findings and recommendations within one year. The bill expires two years after enactment, making it a temporary study initiative focused on advancing renewable energy research without implementing new regulations.

Relates to establishing guidelines for DAs with regard to electronic conversion of certain records, books or papers in the care, custody or control of DAs that are more than 10 years old.

Adopts the Interstate Massage Compact to support the mobility of licensed massage therapists by creating an additional licensing pathway to create reciprocity among participant states and reduce the barriers to license portability.

Maddy summaryThis New York bill (A 894) allows individuals to transfer legally owned and registered firearms to their children or spouse through their estate after death. It amends penal law to permit such transfers without triggering standard sale or transfer restrictions, provided the weapons were legally registered before the owner's death. The bill specifically defines "immediate family" for this purpose as only a child or spouse, not other relatives. It does not change general firearm transfer rules but creates an exception for estate distributions to these family members.