Asm. Joe DeStefano

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a voluntary contribution option on New York's personal income tax returns, allowing taxpayers to donate any whole dollar amount to the Disability Care Providers Fund. The fund, managed by state tax and finance officials, collects these contributions (which do not reduce a taxpayer's state tax liability) and uses the money exclusively to support disability care providers as defined in New York's mental hygiene law. Annual reports detail how funds are spent, including recipient names, amounts awarded, and purposes. The bill directly affects taxpayers who choose to contribute and disability care providers receiving funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows unused funds in New York's climate investment account - collected from electricity customers through utility bills - to be returned directly to those customers. Specifically, any uncommitted funds collected via the "bill-as-you-go" system (where fees are added to monthly utility bills) must be credited back to ratepayer accounts by the end of each fiscal year. The bill modifies existing law to require this refund, ensuring customers who paid these climate-related fees receive the unused portion. It directly affects electricity customers who contributed to the climate investment account but did not have their funds fully allocated for climate projects. The change is a procedural adjustment to fund handling, not a new policy for climate initiatives.

Relates to mandatory employer disclosures regarding employee compensation and benefits, including any non-salary or non-wage compensation and benefits.

Prohibits the sale of certain products that contain regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; requires manufacturers of products containing PFAS to provide notice of such fact to persons that offer the products for sale or distribution; provides penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests Governor Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as "Library Lover's Month" in New York State, aligning with the national observance. It recognizes libraries as vital community resources that provide free access to books, educational programs, and cultural activities for all New Yorkers, emphasizing their role in fostering learning and community engagement.

Requires the report on statewide opioid settlements include the amount of funds that have been spent and requires the public be provided information on how much funds have been spent.

Directs the department of public service to promulgate rules, regulations and model policies regarding setback requirements for the siting of battery energy storage systems; requires minimum setback requirements for commercial energy storage systems, with a capacity of three megawatts or greater, of no less than seven hundred fifty feet from residential property and no less than three hundred feet from residential property located in a city with a population of one million or more inhabitants; requires public hearings prior to the approval of an application for a permit for such systems.

Requires any county, city, town or village that intends to install a traffic-control device outfitted with a camera provide public notice that they are installing a traffic-control device outfitted with a camera.

Requires hotels and motels to maintain a roster of guests, including their photo identifications, for five years and security footage for ninety days; restricts the use of hourly rates at hotels and motels; increases penalties therefor.

Directs the commissioner of education to develop curriculum for firearm safety classes in schools; provides for schools to be able to provide firearm safety instruction which can be used to obtain a hunting license.