Asm. Anna Kelles

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 547) reduces the exemption threshold for small-scale breeders operating from residential premises. It changes the limit from selling fewer than 25 animals per year to fewer than 15 animals per year under both Agriculture and Markets Law and General Business Law. The key provision directly affects hobbyist breeders who currently qualify for an exemption but would now face stricter regulation if they exceed 15 annual sales. This amendment updates existing definitions without altering broader licensing requirements.

Requires the commissioner to incorporate measures of racial and socioeconomic integration into state accountability models; requires data compiled to be included in the school report card created by the department.

Enacts the "Customer Savings and Reliability Act" in relation to regional affordable gas transition plans to guide an orderly, affordable, and equitable right-sizing of the utility gas system in a manner that aligns with climate justice and emissions reduction provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain public water systems (serving at least 15 year-round residents or 25 regularly) to identify lead service lines connecting water mains to properties. It defines "lead service line" broadly, including galvanized pipes downstream of lead lines or where lead connectors are used. Water systems must obtain property owner or occupant consent for free inspections, with a 30-day response window; if consent isn't received, occupants may provide consent. Inspections must occur within 60 days of consent, focusing solely on identification, not removal, of lead service lines.

Enacts "local control for speed limits"; authorizes cities, villages, and towns to adjust the speed limit to lower than fifty-five miles per hour, but not less than twenty-five miles per hour, for portions of state highways that are particularly dangerous.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1724, "Hunger-Free Campus Act") creates a grant program to address student food insecurity at public colleges and universities. It requires qualifying campuses to meet specific standards - including establishing student-inclusive task forces, providing SNAP enrollment assistance, operating food pantries, and hosting awareness events - to earn "hunger-free campus" designation. Public institutions meeting these criteria receive competitive grants to fund food security initiatives like meal vouchers, pantry access, and SNAP outreach. The program mandates annual student hunger surveys and requires a two-year report to state leaders detailing grant usage, student impacts, and recommendations for future funding.

Requires original manufacturers of agricultural equipment to make certain documentation, parts, and tools required for the diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of agricultural equipment available, on fair and reasonable terms, to independent repair providers and owners of agricultural equipment manufactured and sold on or after July 1, 2015.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a per-ounce tax on sugary drinks based on their sugar content: no tax for drinks with ≤7.5g sugar per 12oz, 1¢ per ounce for 7.5-30g sugar, and 2¢ per ounce for ≥30g sugar. It applies to distributors (manufacturers, wholesalers) and retailers selling these drinks, but exempts medical beverages, milk, natural fruit/vegetable juices, and water. Revenue from the tax funds a new community health equity fund. The tax rate adjusts annually for inflation, and retailers must collect it at checkout if distributors haven’t already paid it.

Enacts the "sustainable affordable housing and sprawl prevention act"; exempts or limits environmental review under SEQR for the construction of certain new residential units to avoid creating unnecessary housing sprawl; limits certain rights to action under SEQR; makes related provisions.

Provides that restaurants may provide single-use plastic straws to customers when explicitly requested by the customer; prohibits single-use plastic stirrers.