Asm. Robert Carroll

Relates to returnable bottles; adds noncarbonated soft drinks, certain noncarbonated fruit or vegetable juices, coffee and tea beverages, carbonated fruit beverages and cider to the definition of "beverage"; provides that beginning April 1, 2027, the handling fee will be six cents for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator from a dealer or operator of a redemption center; directs the multi-agency bottle bill fraud investigation team to submit a report on findings of pervasive bottle redemption fraud in New York state.

Maddy summaryBill A 520 creates a tax credit allowing New York landowners to deduct 25% of real property taxes paid on land enrolled in forestry stewardship or habitat conservation programs. To qualify, land must be at least 25 contiguous acres, inspected by DEC-certified biologists, and committed to a 5-year conservation agreement with the Department of Environmental Conservation. The credit is capped at $10,000 annually per taxpayer and applies to personal income and business franchise taxes. Landowners must follow approved conservation plans and record agreements with local authorities to maintain eligibility.

Provides for a working families tax credit; directs quarterly prepayment of the credit; provides for a sliding reduction in the credit for incomes which exceed a certain threshold.

Relates to capital program plans; provides that the MTA shall submit to the MTA capital program review board two capital program plans on or before January 31, 2031 and every fifth year thereafter; provides that all future capital program plans be submitted January 31 of the required years.

Establishes the New York Health program, a comprehensive system of access to health insurance for New York state residents; provides for administrative structure of the plan; provides for powers and duties of the board of trustees, the scope of benefits, payment methodologies and care coordination; establishes the New York Health Trust Fund which would hold monies from a variety of sources to be used solely to finance the plan; enacts provisions relating to financing of New York Health, including a payroll assessment, similar to the Medicare tax; establishes a temporary commission on implementation of the plan; provides for collective negotiations by health care providers with New York Health.

Requires the board of elections to provide Russian interpreters at certain polling locations in cities having a population in excess of one million people.

Maddy summaryThis bill significantly expands eligibility for judicial diversion programs, allowing individuals charged with a broader range of offenses to participate if they have a "qualifying diagnosis." This diagnosis includes serious mental disorders, other mental health disorders causing severe functional impairment, or substance use disorders. While most Class A felonies and Class B sexual offenses are generally excluded, the bill establishes a new "diversion part" in each county. It also redefines "treatment" within these programs to include evidence-based interventions outside of carceral settings.

Imposes an excise tax on the sale of ammunition to be deposited into the firearm violence intervention fund to help victims of and witnesses to violence.

Establishes a state SNAP minimum benefit program to provide a minimum amount of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits that is higher than the amount of federal SNAP benefits.

Provides that funds recovered from public authorities for the provision of governmental services and allocated to the independent authorities budget office shall only be used for direct expenses of the authorities budget office and may not be used for fringe benefits and indirect costs.