Asm. Steve Hawley

Provides a temporary extension for payment of real property taxes owed by a person who has been a furloughed or designated non-pay federal employee due to a period of lapse in discretionary appropriations by the federal government, or by the spouse or domestic partner of such person; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

Authorizes local municipalities and political subdivisions to have final say on if a renewable energy power plant can be sited in such municipalities' or political subdivisions' jurisdiction; establishes conflict of interest standards for approving the siting of a renewable energy power plant in a local municipality or political subdivision; requires the office of renewable energy siting and electric transmissions establish a database to collect and display host agreements and land contracts for renewable energy power plants; establishes contract standards concerning the forfeiture of mineral rights for the siting of renewable energy power plants; regulates the conduct of businesses engaged in the conduct of selling renewable energy power plants.

Enacts the student journalist education act to protect student speech at educational institutions unless such speech is libelous, an invasion of privacy, or incites students to commit an unlawful act, violate school policies, or to materially and substantially disrupt the orderly operation of the school.

Maddy summaryBill A 7914 establishes a 25-member commission to investigate foreign influence on New York State government employees and elections. The commission will examine weaknesses in laws related to lobbying, public corruption, foreign entity influence on officials, and election integrity, then make reform recommendations. It has authority to request documents or testimony, hold public hearings, and refer evidence of violations to prosecutors. The commission must issue a preliminary report by May 1, 2026, and a final report by May 1, 2027, after which it expires. This bill directly affects state government operations and election processes by creating a structured review mechanism.

Requires reporting of statewide training hours allocated to each firefighter; requires such report shall identify the fire department or district providing the training.

Authorizes the department of transportation to establish and implement a state memorial sign program to memorialize persons who died due to injuries sustained in a fatal motor vehicle crash on state highways.

Relates to certificates of honorable separation from or service in the armed forces of the United States; provides that such certificates shall be forwarded to the appropriate local veterans' service agency within 60 days of receipt.

Requires hospitals to establish a violence prevention program which includes a workplace safety and security assessment and develop a safety and security plan that addresses identified workplace violence threats or hazards.

Provides parity to durable medical equipment providers by requiring Medicaid managed care organizations to reimburse such providers at no less than one hundred percent of the medical assistance durable medical equipment and complex rehabilitation technology fee schedule for the same service or item.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends Orleans County's authority to impose an additional 1% sales tax on top of the existing 3% rate, now authorized through November 30, 2027 (previously set to expire in 2025). It directly affects residents and businesses in Orleans County, where this local tax is collected. The key provision amends a tax law section to adjust the expiration date of the county's existing tax authority. The bill was signed into law on August 7, 2025 (Chapter 219), making the extension effective immediately.