Asm. Mark Johns

Creates a unicameral legislature consisting of seventy-five senators called the senate; eliminates the state assembly while enlarging the size of the state senate to 75 members; makes necessary conforming changes to the legislative and redistricting processes, the powers and duties of the legislature, the veto override process, and certain appointments as needed to reflect the establishment of a unicameral legislative body.

Requires the reporting of contributions by business entities and individuals; defines terms; provides that no business entity or individual who contracts with the state for a contract of more than fifteen thousand dollars shall make monetary or in-kind contributions or a pledge of contribution in excess of one thousand dollars to an individual who holds the position of an elected state public office, a candidate for such position, including the candidate's election fund, if such contract must be voted on or approved by such individual; or a state, county or municipal political party, in the preceding twelve month period to the contract being awarded; or to any person for any political purpose or use; or to knowingly solicit any such contribution from any such person for any such purpose during any such period; provides exemptions; makes related provisions.

Relates to a ten-year state takeover of the local share of Medicaid outside of New York city; provides a twenty-year state takeover of fifty percent of the local share of Medicaid in New York city; creates a commission to reform public assistance benefits; expands the state earned income tax credit from thirty percent to forty-five percent of the federal credit amount; offers the option for individuals to receive the state earned income tax credit in monthly installments; expands the child and dependent care tax credit; allows those receiving unemployment insurance to work part-time while still receiving a partial unemployment benefit; provides for state assumption of the growth in property taxes for school districts and local governments that remain under the real property tax cap; creates a real property tax redesign team required to produce recurring savings; and subjects New York city to the property tax cap.

Requires the implementation of an electronic death registration system; all deaths occurring in the state must be registered using the electronic registration system.

Provides for the establishment of a biennial budgeting system for the state of New York replacing the state annual budget process.

Provides for initiative; empowers the electors with the ability to propose statutes and amendments to the constitution.

Defines the felonies of victimizing the elderly or physically disabled in the 3rd degree, 2nd degree and 1st degree and provides that a sentence of imprisonment must be imposed upon conviction of certain offenses against the elderly or physically disabled; provides that a juvenile offender shall include a person 14 or 15 years old who is criminally responsible for victimizing the elderly or physically disabled; includes within the category, "eligible youth" for youthful offender treatment, one who has been convicted of victimizing the elderly or the physically disabled in the 1st degree; provides certain plea restrictions and sentencing structure for persons convicted of such crimes.

Removes references to STAR in the real property tax law and tax law; repeals provisions relating to the school tax relief credit.

Relates to increasing the retention percentage for certain motor vehicle service fees.

Relates to the liability of design professionals; prohibits broad indemnification of a state or local agency or political subdivision involving public work.