Asm. Misha Novakhov

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear rules for distributing surplus funds from tax foreclosure sales. If a property sells for more than the unpaid taxes plus costs, the excess must first go to other creditors with liens (like mortgage holders), then to the former owner. Municipalities must notify former owners about potential surplus funds and how to claim them. The law applies to all tax foreclosure sales starting October 1, 2025, and does not cover abandoned properties.

Relates to protecting the communication rights of individuals with disabilities; provides that each person with a disability has the right to communicate in their preferred manner.

Maddy summaryBill A 5178 prohibits the use of cannabis in public places, including streets, sidewalks, and parks, unless a local government approves a designated area for such use. Individuals found violating this prohibition would be subject to a $125 fine, payable to the local government. The bill directs the Cannabis Control Board, in conjunction with local governments, to establish regulations and guidelines for its implementation, including defining "public places" and designating areas for cannabis use. This aims to regulate the public consumption of cannabis following its legalization for personal use.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how parking violation notices are handled in New York. It requires hearing examiners to provide written decisions explaining the legal basis for each ticket's outcome (guilty or not guilty) and gives drivers the option to request a hearing for each individual ticket. The bill also mandates that the state surcharge must be paid unless a hearing officer dismisses the ticket based on specific merits presented by the driver. These changes aim to increase transparency and fairness for drivers contesting parking violations.

Prohibits the comptroller from using environment, social, and governance criteria as a screening method for selecting companies and funds to invest the state pension fund in.

Establishes the crime of failure to retreat when a person who is within twenty-five feet of a police officer or peace officer engaged in the performance of their duties and the police officer or peace officer orders such person to halt or retreat and the person fails to do so immediately; requires the posting of bail.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all American flags purchased by the state government to be 100% manufactured in the United States, using materials grown or produced entirely within the U.S. It applies to all state agencies and departments buying flags for official use, regardless of size. The law amends the state finance law to prohibit purchases of flags not meeting these domestic manufacturing standards and updates the executive law to mandate U.S.-made flags for all public buildings. The requirement takes effect 180 days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $500 annual tax credit for K-12 teachers in New York who pay out-of-pocket for approved classroom supplies. It covers expenses like books, writing tools, paper, instructional materials, and field trips, but excludes religious materials, sports programs, and most extracurricular activities (except music/drama). The credit reduces income tax liability, with any excess paid as a refund if it exceeds the tax owed. The credit applies to taxable years starting January 1, 2027, and is limited to qualified public or private schools. It directly benefits teachers who bear these costs without employer reimbursement.

Directs the secretary of the senate and the clerk of the assembly to identify the date of Asian Lunar New Year; declares such day as a public holiday each year.

Establishes a bicycle and electric scooter operator's safety manual; provides for the issuance of a license for residents who successfully read and comprehend the operator's safety manual; requires residents who operate an electric scooter in New York City to have a license to operate such devices; requires instruction in electric scooter safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course; requires liability insurance for electric scooters in cities having a population of one million or more; prohibits the sale of an electric scooter to a purchaser unless the purchaser has a license to operate the electric scooter and has insurance in a city having a population of one million or more.