Asm. William Colton

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to establish air quality standards for specific harmful pollutants like benzene, mercury, and formaldehyde by December 2027. It requires major pollution sources (factories emitting 10+ tons/year of toxic pollutants) to include these standards in their permits starting in 2028 and mandates fenceline monitoring near disadvantaged communities. The law ensures standards are based on health science and considers community proximity to pollution sources, directly affecting industrial facilities and communities near them.

Prohibits the idling of any passenger vehicle, with certain exceptions, for more than 3 consecutive minutes; establishes the first violation is a warning and subsequent violations of such section are traffic infractions punishable by a fine of $150.

Waives the state's sovereign immunity in state and federal courts with regard to liability for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act; waives the immunity of all instrumentalities and political subdivisions of the state.

Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care.

Requires covered employers to provide notice to certain affected employees prior to any technological displacement; requires reporting; requires a workforce transition period; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of medical adhesives and bandages containing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in New York State after December 31, 2026. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of these medical products, requiring them to ensure their items contain no intentionally added PFAS or PFAS above a feasible, regularly reviewed threshold. Sellers must obtain written compliance certificates from manufacturers confirming PFAS-free products, and violations carry civil penalties up to $2,500 per day of noncompliance. The law focuses on concrete regulatory changes for medical products, excluding FDA-regulated devices from its scope.

Maddy summaryBill A 1994 amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law regarding parking violations. It provides that if a parking ticket is missing, incorrect, or illegible in its required information, the violation must be dismissed. This bill removes the requirement for the charged individual to formally apply for such a dismissal. Furthermore, these defenses can be raised and result in dismissal even after a default judgment has been entered for the parking violation. It applies to all parking notices issued on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryBill A 1441 strengthens complaint handling procedures for all public utility customers, not just residential ones. It requires utility corporations and municipalities to provide written investigation results for billing or deposit complaints within 15 or 30 business days, respectively, including supporting documentation. The bill prohibits service termination for nonpayment while a complaint is pending, provided the customer pays the undisputed portion of their bill. Additionally, it imposes daily penalties on utilities and municipalities for failing to meet these new response deadlines.

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible 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.

Requires food service establishments to permit the use of reusable beverage and food containers provided by customers when requesting a beverage refill or requesting leftovers from a partially consumed meal to be packaged and post signs to inform customers that they are permitted to do so.