Asm. Angelo Morinello

Enacts the New York state nursing shortage correction act; establishes the New York state nursing recruitment incentive and retention program; defines terms; provides for tuition benefits and the reimbursement of student loans if a person is a registered and licensed nurse; provides that SUNY and CUNY shall pay for a person's education if such person signs a contract stating that such person shall work in New York state as a registered nurse; makes related provisions; establishes the New York state nursing recruitment incentive and retention account.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new class A-1 felony offense for selling controlled substances (from Schedules I-V) that directly causes someone's death. It specifically applies to individuals who violate public health law by selling, giving, or supplying these drugs, resulting in a fatality. The key provision defines this as the most serious felony charge, replacing or adding to existing penalties for drug-related deaths. The law takes effect 30 days after enactment, with necessary rule changes allowed before that date. It does not affect other drug offenses or non-fatal cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certified handicapped individuals to use ATVs on public lands *only* for transportation purposes when entering or exiting areas used for hunting during the hunting season. It specifically permits ATVs for accessing hunting grounds, not for general travel on public lands. Non-handicapped individuals remain prohibited from using ATVs on public lands except where designated for ATV use under existing rules. The change applies exclusively to transportation related to hunting access during the designated season.

Establishes a veterans in agriculture assistance and outreach program to help integrate veterans into the field of agriculture, and support veterans currently working in agriculture; designs an associated logotype for the promotion of products produced by a veteran or qualified veteran business entity.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New York school districts to create policies enabling home-schooled students to try out for and join district interscholastic sports teams. It requires these students to meet the same academic, health, and behavioral standards as enrolled public school students, including annual academic verification and age/eligibility rules. Home-schooled students would only be eligible to participate with their district of residence and must arrange their own transportation. The policy is optional for school districts and does not mandate participation.

Allows current, active and retired military service members and reserve units of the state to qualify for distinctive license plates; allows the spouse to also qualify for such distinctive plates.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 8971) creates a process to assess how New York schools teach Italian American heritage history. The state education commissioner must survey school districts on topics like which grades cover this history, curriculum used, and challenges faced. An advisory committee of appointed experts will then review the survey results and recommend improvements to K-12 curriculum and teaching resources. The committee must submit recommendations within two years and disband after that, with the entire process expiring three years after enactment. The bill directly affects school districts and state education officials, but does not mandate specific curriculum changes.

Requires the approval of the legislature for certain proposed rule changes relating to civil or criminal penalties, fiscal liability or responsibility, costs due by state residents, and changes to education curriculum.

Relates to establishing the born alive abortion survivors' protection act that places requirements on health care practitioners present at the time a child is born alive during an abortion.

Authorizes counties to lease county land for natural gas exploration, development and production for five years or as long as gas is produced in paying quantities.