Asm. Andrew Hevesi

Establishes an economy-wide cap and invest program to support greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the state by setting a maximum allowable amount of greenhouse gas emissions by covered entities and regulating the sale or auction of greenhouse gas emissions allowances to covered entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of gas-powered leaf and lawn blowers between May 1 and September 30 each year. It directly affects homeowners, landscapers, and property managers who use these devices for yard maintenance during summer months. Violators face a civil fine of up to $100 per offense. The law takes effect on May 1, 2027, and is currently under review by the Health committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "kinship legal network program" within New York's Office of Children and Family Services to provide legal assistance to kinship caregivers - individuals caring for relatives' children (like grandparents or aunts/uncles). The program funds nonprofit legal organizations to offer free help with custody, child support, benefits access, foster care certification, and other family law matters. It allocates $8 million annually in grants, with a maximum of 15% to any single organization for coordination tasks like data collection and reporting. The program requires annual reports to state legislative committees starting in 2026, tracking the number of caregivers served and case outcomes.

Relates to certain duties and responsibilities of cemetery corporations; requires disclosure of the dimensions of spacing between plots, lots, or parts thereof; provides for the filing of consumer complaints.

Increases the per student rate of empire state after school program and advantage after school program grants; requires future per student rates to be modified accounting for any minimum wage adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 6429) amends New York's penal law to remove an exception for second felony drug offenders. Specifically, it deletes language that previously allowed some second-time drug offenders (whose prior felony wasn't violent) to avoid mandatory sentencing. The bill repeals a related subdivision (Subdivision 4 of Section 70.70) and updates definitions in the criminal procedure law regarding prior convictions. These changes apply immediately to cases where sentencing occurs after the effective date, affecting second felony drug offenders who would no longer qualify for the removed exception.

Enacts the "state taxpayer oversight and protection (STOP) act"; relates to the payment of attorneys' fees by the state; provides that no attorneys' fees or expenses shall be paid if incurred on behalf of an employee in any action brought by the employee against the state; provides that attorneys' fees shall be presumptively unreasonable where an individual hires or employs multiple law firms on the same matter unless such employee can demonstrate the need for additional attorneys with distinct subject matter expertise.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state, county, and local transportation agencies to design all publicly funded road projects - including construction, reconstruction, and major maintenance - to safely accommodate all users (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders) through "complete street" principles. It applies to projects receiving both federal and state funding under transportation department oversight, excluding routine resurfacing but including projects with a 10+ year lifespan. The law mandates agencies consider factors like traffic volume, population density, and community input when planning, rather than automatically prioritizing vehicles. It does not change existing project approvals but sets new standards for how projects must be designed.

Relates to establishing the "340B prescription drug anti-discrimination act"; prohibits pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers from discriminating against covered entities and New York state pharmacies based on participation in the drug discount program authorized by section 340B of the federal public health service act.

Maddy summaryBill A 8191 establishes a gender affirming care program within the Department of Health to ensure the continuity of these services in the state. This program aims to provide funding and resources to healthcare providers to facilitate access for individuals whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth. The bill defines gender affirming care to include a range of social, psychological, behavioral, medical, and surgical interventions. Funding for the program will be appropriated by the legislature, with a minimum amount set and annual increases tied to the consumer price index. The Department of Health is tasked with creating regulations and consulting experts to implement the program.