Asm. Jessica González-Rojas

Establishes the office of census counts and provides for its powers and duties and the New York state census counts commission and provides for its powers and duties; establishes the offense of impersonation of a census enumerator; makes an appropriation therefor.

Establishes the differentiated learning environment task force, to conduct a comprehensive study on the way colleges and universities are preparing future teachers to work in urban settings and to offer differentiated classrooms.

Expands who may visit local correctional facilities to include persons and accompanying staff of the chief executive officer of a county, members of a county legislative body, mayor of the city of New York, New York city public advocate, New York city comptroller, and members of the New York city council.

Authorizes the use of closed-circuit television for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses; establishes a procedure for determining who qualifies as a vulnerable sexual assault witness.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the residential solar tax credit to 26% of qualified solar equipment costs, with new maximum credit amounts: $3,750 for installations before 2026, $5,000 for installations in 2026, and $10,000 for installations in 2027 and after. It applies to homeowners who install solar systems in their principal residence within the state, covering equipment purchases, long-term leases (10+ years), and power purchase agreements (10+ years). The credit can be carried over for up to five years if it exceeds annual tax liability, and for low-income taxpayers or those in disadvantaged communities, excess credit may be refunded starting in 2026.

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.

Includes information about bystander intervention training in the department of labor's model sexual harassment prevention policy that includes information and practical guidance on how to enable bystanders to recognize potentially problematic behaviors and to motivate bystanders to take action when such bystanders observe problematic behaviors.

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 (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.

Provides that members of a retirement system who retire from such system and later rejoin the retirement system are reinstated with the same rights, benefits and privileges they had prior to retirement.