Asm. Steve Hawley

Provides that the future siting and construction of battery energy storage systems and related facilities, systems, infrastructure, and substations of any scale and possessing any storage capacity, and including, but not limited to, those deploying lithium-ion batteries, are prohibited on Long Island, in the counties of Suffolk and Nassau.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all state-controlled or state-supported elementary, middle, and high schools to include agriculture instruction starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It directly affects students and school districts by mandating curriculum covering food origins, farm-to-market processes, sustainability, resource management, textile production, and agricultural careers. Key provisions include requiring courses approved by both the Education and Agriculture departments, integrating topics like water/land conservation and rural community culture, and allowing connections to science and business classes. The instruction aims to help students understand food systems and agricultural practices through concrete, hands-on learning.

Maddy summaryBill A 3631 allows New York schools to use state or local funds to purchase whole or reduced-fat New York milk (defined as milk produced, processed, and distributed within New York State) for student meals or sales. It requires the Education Commissioner to notify schools about the provision and mandates a report after two years tracking school participation, milk consumption changes, and state promotion efforts. The bill expires if federal school lunch rules change to permit whole/reduced-fat milk generally or if updated federal dietary guidelines allow it. This policy directly affects public schools in New York seeking to support local dairy producers through school meal programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York school districts to purchase or lease only zero-emission school buses (electric or hydrogen-powered with no tailpipe emissions) when buying new vehicles by July 2027. It also mandates that all components and final assembly of these buses and their charging infrastructure must be made in the U.S. unless a waiver is granted for cost or feasibility reasons. Districts facing financial hardship may receive up to two years to comply after a cost-benefit analysis, and the law includes protections preventing workforce displacement for transportation employees during the transition. The full transition to zero-emission school buses must be completed by July 2047, or when all state vehicle fleets meet this standard, whichever comes later.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits any person or entity from selling, leasing, or transferring ownership of real property in New York State to the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, or their affiliated organizations. It directly affects property owners, sellers, and lessees who might engage in transactions with these entities. The law authorizes the state attorney general to enforce it by seeking court orders to stop violations, including injunctions or declaratory relief for properties already sold or leased in violation. The policy change explicitly bans such transactions without exceptions, making them unlawful under New York law.

Provides for the chief administrator of the courts to, upon request by a municipality, ensure the assignment and presence of a uniformed court officer during court proceedings or a law enforcement officer where no uniformed court officer is available.

Provides for instruction in food and agriculture in schools using a curriculum established by the commissioner of education in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture and markets.

Exempts volunteers in recreational activities, including but not limited to, little league coaches, managers, assistants and members of the board of directors from civil liability while providing services or rendering assistance to a player or participant as a result of such volunteer's acts of commission or omission arising out of or in the course of rendering such services or assistance during competitive games and practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates "The Empire State" as the formal nickname for New York. It achieves this by adding a new section to the state laws that explicitly states this name. The change takes effect immediately upon passage and applies to the state as a whole.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the red-spotted newt, also known as the eastern newt, as the official state amphibian of New York. It achieves this by adding a new section to the state laws that formally recognizes the species with its scientific name. The change takes effect immediately upon passage and serves primarily as a symbolic designation rather than altering legal protections or management rules.