Asm. Charles Lavine

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 8646) amends civil procedure rules to clarify that parties in civil cases no longer need to file a pretrial motion to get court permission before using deposition testimony at trial. It directly affects litigants (plaintiffs and defendants) and their attorneys in civil lawsuits. The key change adds a new rule stating that using deposition testimony under the existing rules does not require prior court approval through a pretrial motion. This simplifies the trial process by removing an administrative step for introducing recorded witness statements. The change applies immediately upon the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 21st each year as "Down Syndrome Awareness Day" in New York State. It adds this date to the state's official calendar of commemorative days, which already includes other observances like Holocaust Remembrance Day and Juneteenth. The bill does not create new policies or funding; it simply establishes a formal recognition day to raise awareness about Down syndrome. This designation affects all New York state entities and residents, encouraging official observances and educational efforts on that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a class E felony to give or receive benefits exceeding $3,000 to public officials or those selected for such roles, excluding campaign contributions under election law. It directly affects public officials and candidates for public office by criminalizing improper financial exchanges tied to their position. The law prohibits offering, promising, seeking, or accepting any benefit over $3,000 for official duties, with penalties applying to both givers and receivers. The key provision sets a clear $3,000 threshold for criminal liability, distinct from standard campaign financing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits elected municipal officials (like mayors, council members, or county officials) from serving on most local government agencies or industrial development authorities. It repeals an existing law and replaces it with a rule stating that agency members cannot hold such elected offices, with two key exceptions: industrial development authorities that must include elected officials (like Troy's board, which requires two common council members) and authorities whose entire board consists of elected officials from the chartering municipality. The bill specifically amends sections governing the Troy and Auburn industrial development authorities to align with this new restriction, ensuring existing exceptions remain valid. This is a procedural change to clarify eligibility rules for agency membership.

Prohibits participation in torture of incarcerated individuals by health professionals; prohibits a health care professional from engaging, assisting or planning the torture of an incarcerated individual; requires health care professionals to report torture.

Relates to treatment of gains from qualified opportunity zones in calculating taxable income; removes exclusion of gains on property in qualified opportunity zones in calculation of income.

Establishes new targets for offshore wind electricity generation; includes the requirements that there is at least 15 gigawatts of offshore wind electricity generation by 2040, at least 18 gigawatts of offshore wind electricity generation by 2045 and at least 20 gigawatts of offshore wind electricity generation by 2050.

Maddy summaryThis bill, A 8065, consolidates the existing licensing system for insurance agents and brokers into a single "producer" license. It amends various sections of the insurance law, replacing references to "agent" with "producer" in contexts related to licensing examinations and general licensing requirements. The legislation streamlines the process for individuals and firms involved in selling or negotiating insurance contracts. While consolidating the licensing, the bill clarifies that it does not alter the underlying legal definitions of "insurance agent" and "insurance broker" as used in other parts of the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed pharmacists in New York to order and administer specific diagnostic tests, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking convenient testing. It authorizes pharmacists to perform FDA-authorized tests for conditions like COVID-19, flu, RSV, strep throat, HbA1c, hepatitis C, and HIV. The law expands pharmacists' scope of practice to include these tests under federal "waiver" requirements, without requiring additional physician oversight. The provision expires on July 1, 2028, as noted in the bill's text.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance policies in New York to cover medically necessary hearing aids for children under 18. It mandates coverage for devices purchased from registered hearing aid dispensers or licensed audiologists, including services like recasing and new molds. Coverage is limited to one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear every 24 months, unless a child's hearing changes significantly within that period. Insurance plans may still apply standard deductibles or copayments for this coverage.