Asm. Dave McDonough

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new dual licensing program for facilities serving both mental health and addiction treatment needs. It allows facilities to obtain licenses simultaneously from both the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, rather than seeking separate licenses. The key provision requires the two commissioners to jointly develop this licensing program through new rules and regulations. This change directly affects facilities providing integrated mental health and addiction services, streamlining their regulatory process.

Enacts the "Customer Savings and Reliability Act" in relation to regional affordable gas transition plans to guide an orderly, affordable, and equitable right-sizing of the utility gas system in a manner that aligns with climate justice and emissions reduction provisions.

Allows residents who are employed by employers based in another state to obtain property/casualty or liability coverage under a policy issued to their employer in that state.

Eliminates provisions exempting employees with disabilities from the minimum wage law; provides that laws or minimum wage orders that authorize an employer to pay a wage that is less than the minimum wage are valid provided that under such laws or orders an employee with a disability is paid the same wage as an employee in a comparable position that does not have a disability.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates three tax credits to support local media. It provides a $250 annual credit for individuals who subscribe to qualifying local newspapers (print or digital), a credit covering 50% (2026) or 30% (later) of journalism wages up to $12,500 per employee for newspaper employers, and a credit for small businesses spending on local media ads (80% in 2026, 50% later, capped at $5,000 or $2,500). To qualify, newspapers must serve a single county or 200-mile radius, have 51% local readership, and employ at least one local journalist. The credits directly affect subscribers, newspaper employers, and small businesses purchasing local media advertising.

Enacts "Chelsey's law"; provides that a person commits the crime of manslaughter or aggravated manslaughter when such person knows or has reasonable grounds to know that a controlled substance is likely to cause the death of another person and sells, administers, delivers, or causes the delivery of a controlled substance to another person and such substance causes, contributes to, or aids in the death of such other person.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new statewide program allowing local communities in New York to form regional partnerships to design their own broadband expansion plans, replacing the previous state-managed approach. It directly affects residents in areas with inadequate internet speeds (under 25 Mbps) and local governments like counties, cities, and towns. The program provides state funding for infrastructure projects like fiber networks or mobile hotspots, with local groups selecting internet service providers. The state will review plans to ensure full coverage for all residents in each region, prioritizing access over speed or reliability.

Provides an exemption for the sale of the first $35,000 for a battery, electric, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle from state sales and compensating use taxes; authorizes local governments to elect such incentives; repeals the hybrid exemption after ten years.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York state agencies receiving opioid settlement funds to submit annual public reports detailing how these funds are spent. The reports must include baseline funding data, specific recipient information (including program details and populations served), the criteria for awarding funds, and evidence-based analysis of program effectiveness in reducing substance use disorders. It also prohibits government entities from pursuing legal claims against companies released under the statewide opioid settlement agreement after June 2021. All reports must be published as a public dashboard on government websites by November 1st each year.

Directs the public service commission to evaluate hydrogen, sewage thermal energy, and nuclear small modular reactors as renewable energy sources and report the results of such evaluation to the governor and the legislature.