Asm. Steven Raga

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that all public colleges and universities in the state provide menstrual products free of charge in their restrooms. The law requires schools to stock these items in school buildings without charging students for them. It applies immediately to every public institution of higher education within the jurisdiction.

Eliminates court surcharges and fees and probation and parole surcharges and fees; eliminates the requirement that a parolee or releasee receiving a merit termination of sentence be financially able to comply with an order of restitution; eliminates the requirement that a person receiving a discharge of sentence be financially able to comply with an order of restitution and the payment of certain surcharges or fees (Part A); prohibits mandatory minimum fines for penal law and vehicle and traffic offenses (Part B); mandates that courts engage in an individualized assessment of a person's financial ability to pay a fine prior to imposing a fine (Part C); eliminates the availability of incarceration as a remedy for a failure to pay a fine, surcharge, or fee, lifts and vacates existing warrants issued solely on a person's failure to timely pay a fine, surcharge or fee and ends existing sentences of incarceration based on such failure (Part D); vacates existing unsatisfied civil judgments based on a person's failure to timely pay a surcharge, or fee (Part E); prohibits the collection of a fine, restitution or reparation from the funds of an incarcerated person; prohibits the payment of court fines, mandatory surcharges, certain fees, restitution, reparation or forfeitures from the earnings of prisoners (Part F); vacates existing unpaid surcharges, DNA databank fees, crime victim assistance fees, sexual offender registration fees, supplemental sex offender victim fees, or probation or parole supervision fees; repeals certain provisions of law relating to restrictions on remitting such fees (Part G).

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to retirees and their dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road to give up their legal ability to claim immunity from lawsuits, making them subject to the same federal railroad laws that apply to other rail companies. It also extends these rules to any other commuter railroads owned by New York municipalities, covering areas like worker safety, retirement benefits, and discrimination. The changes apply immediately and cover any current lawsuits against these railroads.

Establishes a reproductive health services training and education grant program to ensure health care providers receive adequate training in abortion care.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a sales tax exemption for specific school supplies purchased during a defined back-to-school period from late August to early September. The exemption applies to items such as computers under $3,000, art materials, and common classroom essentials like backpacks, notebooks, and pens. It directly benefits students, parents, and schools by reducing the cost of these necessary items when bought within the specified timeframe. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis New York bill proposes to exempt basic school supplies from sales tax during a specific window each year, aiming to reduce costs for students and families. The exemption applies to items such as backpacks, textbooks, pens, and notebooks, provided each item costs less than $110. To qualify for the tax break, purchases must occur within the 15-day period starting on the 15th day before Labor Day and ending on Labor Day itself. Additionally, the legislation requires cities and counties that impose local sales taxes to exclude these school supply purchases from their local tax rates during this designated timeframe.

Prohibits the sale of lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices, bicycles with electric assist or limited use motorcycles unless such batteries are manufactured in accordance with certain standards and specifications; provides a civil penalty; authorizes district attorneys, county attorneys, and corporation counsel to have concurrent authority to seek the relief.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires dealers to register limited use motorcycles at the time of sale within New York State. Under the new rules, these vehicles must be officially registered immediately when purchased from a dealer, rather than waiting for the buyer to handle the process later. The legislation also sets the annual registration fee at $25.50 and mandates that dealers collect a signed declaration from buyers who intend to use the motorcycle exclusively outside of New York. These changes aim to streamline the registration process for specific types of motorcycles while maintaining oversight through dealer involvement.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the legal authority for employers to make certain deductions from employee wages for an additional two years. It achieves this by amending an existing labor law provision that was originally set to expire after fourteen years. The change allows these specific wage deductions to remain valid until the expiration date is pushed back by the extension period.