Asm. Phil Palmesano

Requires the legislature to provide funding to reimburse localities for the costs associated with expenditures made as a requirement of any law which mandates the undertaking of a new program or increases the level of service of an existing program by a locality; requires the legislature to establish procedures for the allocation of funds among the local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a constitutional process allowing voters to remove elected state officials through a recall petition. To initiate a recall, voters must gather signatures equal to 12% of the last vote for the office (with at least 1% from five counties), certified by the secretary of state within 160 days. If a majority votes to remove an official in a special election (held 60-80 days after signature certification), the official is removed and replaced by the candidate with the most votes, unless consolidated with a regular election. The bill also requires the legislature to create detailed procedures for petitions, elections, and local recall processes, while prohibiting new recalls for six months after a vote.

Limits the power of the legislature to amend a redistricting plan submitted by the independent redistricting commission where it affects more than two percent of the population of any district contained in such plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 7.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for specific human services programs effective April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. It directly affects providers of mental health, developmental disability, and addiction services (including clinics, residential programs, and outpatient care) by requiring them to use the COLA funds to provide at least a 2.6% targeted salary increase for eligible staff. The COLA applies to programs funded or certified by the Office of Mental Health, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and Office of Addiction Services and Supports. This adjustment is inclusive of other inflation factors for the specified period, excluding federal pandemic relief programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows workers to deduct cash tips they receive from their New York state income tax. It specifically applies to cash tips classified as wages under federal tax law (like those from servers or bartenders who collect cash). The deduction covers tips received during the taxable year, reducing the worker's taxable income. The change would take effect for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Relates to establishing the New York state grid modernization commission; provides the commission shall conduct a study of research, development and demonstrations of electric grid modernization and shall issue such report to the state energy planning board for consideration in the state energy plan.

Maddy summaryBill A 945, known as "Jacobe's Law," requires school administrators to contact the parents or guardians of students when a verified incident of bullying, harassment, or discrimination has occurred. Designated school employees must first investigate and confirm the incident. Following verification, a school professional will discuss any health, safety, or privacy concerns with the students involved. If no such concerns are expressed, the school will make a good faith effort to contact the parents; if concerns are raised, the professional will use their judgment to determine if parental contact is in the student's best interest. The bill also provides immunity from civil liability for individuals who report such incidents in good faith.

Requires proportionally equivalent appointees of both the majority and minority houses of the legislature in all legislatively enacted workgroups, task forces, commissions, councils, advisory boards, committees and any other legislatively enacted and appointed groups or workgroups; requires that the number of appointees by the legislature shall be proportionally equivalent to the number of appointees by the governor.

Provides that schools, child day cares, day care centers, or community based organizations which support activities for children under the age of eighteen can not serve as a shelter for migrants.

Enacts the "cobalt and lithium mining and production divestment act" to prevent monies or assets of the common retirement fund from being invested in the stocks, securities or other obligations of any institution or company engaging in cobalt and lithium mining or production for the manufacture of batteries used in large-scale battery storage power stations and the primary propulsion systems for electric vehicles, if such company cannot establish through approved independent monitoring that their mining operation does not use child labor and that adult miners and other workers are employed under conditions that meet accepted criteria.