Asm. Stacey Pheffer Amato

Relates to rechargeable battery recycling; adds a battery used as the principal electric power source for an electric scooter or bicycle with electric assist to the definition of "rechargeable battery"; provides that a battery manufacturer may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute rechargeable batteries in the state unless the battery manufacturer is implementing or participating under an approved plan; allows a city with a population of one million or more to enforce through its own agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for reimbursing congressionally chartered veterans' organizations for funeral and burial expenses. It requires the state to adjust the maximum reimbursement amount annually based on changes in the consumer price index, with the new calculation starting in the 2025 fiscal year. The adjustment will be published each February and will increase by at least one percent but no more than four percent, rounded up to the nearest tenth of a percent. This change ensures that the reimbursement limit, currently capped at $2,000, keeps pace with inflation to better cover rising costs for veterans' funerals.

Prohibits the use of intoxication of the victim as a defense in sex crimes where the victim is under the influence of any drug, intoxicant, or other substance to a degree which rendered the victim temporarily incapable of appraising or controlling such person's conduct and such condition was known or reasonably should have been known to a person in the actor's situation.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends tuition waivers for police officer students attending the City University of New York through July 1, 2026. It updates an existing law to ensure these financial benefits continue for eligible officers pursuing degrees at CUNY institutions. The change applies immediately and removes the previous expiration date, allowing current and future qualifying students to maintain their tuition-free status.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for handling abandoned vehicles by raising the monetary threshold for immediate seizure and ownership transfer to local authorities from one thousand dollars to three thousand dollars. The change applies specifically to vehicles without license plates that are valued at three thousand dollars or less based on their wholesale worth and current condition. Under the new provisions, local governments can immediately take title to these vehicles without needing to go through a longer process, provided the cars are not being sold as junk, dismantled for parts, or destroyed. The legislation also clarifies that this immediate transfer of ownership does not apply if the vehicle is intended for salvage or other non-operational disposal.

Ensures that construction and fabrication done off of a public work site for specific use only in a public work project be compensated at the prevailing wage rate.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows employees of the New York City Board of Education represented by the United Federation of Teachers to move their retirement coverage from the current board system to the city's Teachers' Retirement System. To make this switch, an eligible employee must submit a formal application within one year of becoming qualified for the new system, after which their past contributions and benefits are transferred and credited as if they had always been part of the Teachers' Retirement System. The change applies only to those who file for membership and does not require them to be current members of the United Federation of Teachers.

Expands disability benefits for firefighters who suffered any condition or impairment of health caused by endocrine/thyroid cancer resulting in total or partial disability.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases special accidental death benefits for members of state and local retirement systems who die in the line of duty. Effective July 1, 2024, the payment amounts will be adjusted upward based on the deceased member's salary, using a specific percentage schedule that varies depending on the year the member died. The extra payment goes to the surviving spouse, dependent children, or parents, depending on who is eligible to receive the funds. This change applies to both the general municipal law and the retirement and social security law governing these retirement systems.

Provides minimum basic training related to handling emergency situations involving individuals with any physical and/or developmental disability to all firefighters.