Asm. Steven Raga

Establishes state and municipal composting programs; requires all state and municipal agencies to establish a composting program in buildings owned, occupied or operated by such agencies; allows such agencies to arrange for collection of compostable waste by a private carter, transport such waste itself or process such waste on-site; requires reports on the costs and effectiveness of such programs.

Permits other qualifying members of a household to qualify the household for the disability rent increase exemption when they are not the head of household.

Maddy summaryBill A 2266 requires state agencies operating prisons and youth detention facilities to provide incarcerated individuals with free voice communication services (and optionally video or messaging), effective April 1, 2026. It prohibits facilities from charging inmates for these services or generating revenue from them, and mandates that communication services cannot replace in-person visit programs. The bill repeals the existing correction law section on this topic and adds new requirements for agencies managing correctional facilities. This directly affects all people confined in state correctional facilities by guaranteeing free communication access with external contacts.

Relates to employment of persons and veterans with disabilities by the state; provides up to five thousand positions may be filled by persons with a physical or mental disability and up to two thousand positions may be filled by disabled veterans and veterans with disabilities.

Relates to veterans' health care; creates a veteran health care review to ensure veterans and their families have access to health and mental health treatment, including for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, military sexual trauma, reproductive and mental health conditions, and suicide prevention.

Maddy summaryBill A 1223 sets specific filing deadlines for designating petitions (used by candidates to appear on primary election ballots) for the 2026 primary election cycle. It requires these petitions to be filed between the 13th Monday before and 12th Monday before the primary, and invalidates signatures made earlier than 41 days before the filing deadline or later than the 12th Thursday before the primary. The bill applies directly to candidates and petition organizers preparing for the 2026 primary elections. It is temporary, taking effect January 1, 2026, and automatically expiring December 31, 2026, after which the previous filing rules would resume.

Requires that health insurance policies shall provide coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer; provides that no patient cost sharing shall be imposed for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits online pet sellers or lenders from including contract terms that allow them to repossess a dog or cat if a buyer misses payments. It directly affects online pet buyers and sellers, preventing sellers from treating pets as collateral in financing agreements. The law specifically applies to online website transactions and does not ban unsecured personal loans for pet purchases or affect other existing laws. The bill became law on November 21, 2025 (Chapter 507).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in New York to cover one rescue inhaler and one maintenance inhaler for asthma treatment at no cost to the patient. It applies to all medical, major medical, and comprehensive health insurance policies that cover prescription drugs, directly affecting asthma patients who rely on these medications. Insurers must provide this coverage without deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing, with a narrow exception only for high-deductible plans that would otherwise disqualify patients from health savings accounts. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, for all new or renewed policies.

Defines therapeutic agriculture for the purposes of community gardens as the use of agricultural activities as a means of promoting physical, mental and emotional well-being, rehabilitation and therapy for certain individuals.