Asm. Steve Hawley

Permits local boards of education to enter into contracts with a drive-sharing network of persons for reimbursement of transportation expenses for the conveyance of pupils residing in such school districts; authorizes the commissioner of education to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations; outlines certain requirements to which the local board of education shall adhere; makes related provisions.

Requires the state pay taxes on the assessed value of properties of closed state prisons until such prison is reopened, used by another state agency, or is conveyed to a non-governmental entity.

Expands the crime of aggravated assault upon a police officer or a peace officer by removing the requirement that such injury be caused by a dangerous or deadly instrument.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows female veterans (or their spouses) to request a special license plate displaying "Female Veteran" from the state Department of Motor Vehicles. To qualify, applicants must prove veteran status and pay a one-time $10 fee on top of regular registration costs. The plate cannot be issued to a spouse if the veteran already has one. The state will produce these plates only if 200 or more requests are received within two years, or after providing a $6,000 surety bond.

Requires parental notice prior to the performance of an abortion upon an unemancipated minor; defines unemancipated minor as person less than eighteen years of age; allows for waiver of such notice in limited instances; establishes circumstances and procedures for proceedings to obtain an order waiving such parental notification.

Requires a valid government issued photo identification card be presented when casting a ballot; provides for persons eligible for Medicaid to receive identification cards.

Relates to decisions by the state board on electric generation; requires approval through public referendum prior to certification for establishing a major electric generating facility.

Expands the veterans tuition awards program to include all persons who were honorably discharged and were residents of the state before and after serving in the armed forces of the United States; provides veterans an award equal to the in-state tuition paid at a state university for each semester the veteran is engaged in undergraduate, graduate or vocational study.

Increases the amount of money a public retirement system retiree may earn in a position of public service in the year 2025 and thereafter to $100,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4344) provides free access to New York State parks and public campsites for active volunteer firefighters (as defined in General Municipal Law §215) and enrolled members of volunteer ambulance services (as defined in Public Health Law Article 30). It amends existing law to add these groups to the list of residents who can use state recreational facilities without paying fees, under the same terms as the general public. The policy change directly affects eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance service members statewide who use these facilities. The provision becomes effective 120 days after enactment, with immediate rulemaking authorized for implementation.