Asm. Sam Berger

Maddy summaryThis bill caps fines for E-ZPass toll violations at the amount of the unpaid toll itself. It directly affects drivers who fail to pay tolls through the E-ZPass system, preventing authorities from charging additional penalties beyond the original toll amount. The key provision adds a new law section requiring public authorities to limit fines to the unpaid toll, overriding any existing rules that might allow higher penalties. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Provides for loan forgiveness for social workers who commit to work in counties with less than two hundred thousand population, or towns which have a population of less than one hundred fifty persons per square mile for the duration of the award.

Enacts the "assuring college campus and educational safety and support (ACCESS) act" relating to harassment of students and applicants at educational institutions; describes the circumstances under which harassment at educational institutions is an unlawful discriminatory practice; describes the circumstances under which an educational institution is deemed to have permitted harassment; describes additional circumstances under which a college or university is deemed to have permitted harassment.

Requires every sheriff, county or city commissioner of correction and head of every state, county, or local police department to report instances and occurrences of hate crimes; requires the division to promulgate rules and regulations for such reporting.

Requires that the distinctive license plate numbers issued to the owner of a registered motor vehicle be changed and the registration record for such motor vehicle be updated to reflect such change within a week after such plates being stolen.

Establishes a correctional employee protective labor practices board to make recommendations regarding labor practices and working conditions for correctional employees, and institutional safety of both correctional employees and incarcerated individuals.

Enacts the "New York State buy North American act" which requires the state, municipalities, public authorities and covered affordable housing projects to award contracts for the supply of manufactured products used in building projects to bidders who produce such manufactured products used in building projects primarily in North America; defines terms; makes related provisions.

Provides that in a city with a population of one million or more, where a student is applying to attend a public elementary or middle school and such student has a sibling who already attends such school, such student whose application is pending shall be given preference for admission.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed pharmacists in New York to order and administer specific diagnostic tests, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking convenient testing. It authorizes pharmacists to perform FDA-authorized tests for conditions like COVID-19, flu, RSV, strep throat, HbA1c, hepatitis C, and HIV. The law expands pharmacists' scope of practice to include these tests under federal "waiver" requirements, without requiring additional physician oversight. The provision expires on July 1, 2028, as noted in the bill's text.

Requires the cannabis control board to provide notice to state legislative representatives upon receipt of application for an adult-use cannabis retail dispensary or on-site consumption license in their district.