Asm. William Colton

Establishes the office of energy and equity within the department of state to help ensure equitable access to all energy affordability initiatives available in the state by streamlining the administration of energy affordability and access programs, maximizing the support available to each eligible household, and enhancing the transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of energy affordability and access programs; establishes the energy affordability fund.

Relates to the determination of a verifiable shortage of licensed mechanics by the commissioner of labor for purposes of the issuance of a temporary elevator mechanic license, continuing education requirements for elevator mechanic's and accessibility lift technician's licensees, and authorizing the commissioner of labor to impose civil penalties for the employment or use of unlicensed mechanics; repeals certain provisions of the labor law related to the inspection of elevators and conveyances; amends the effectiveness of such related provisions.

Requires state and municipal police academy course training in the recognition and handling of matters involving human trafficking; requires public transportation authorities and contractors to provide training in the recognition and handling of matters involving human trafficking.

Provides that mobile sports wagering operators and mobile sports wagering platforms are prohibited from limiting the size and frequency of deposits or wagers of authorized sports bettors because the bettor obtains financial benefit or due to the bettor's waging activity; provides exceptions for suspicious wagering activity and indications of a gambling disorder; requires such operators and platforms to provide electronic written notice when an authorized sports bettor is limited or banned.

Enacts the "choice in responsible gaming act"; requires mobile sports wagering operators to establish default betting limits on their platform and to notify authorized sports bettors of their ability to opt-out of the default betting limits.

Provides that an application for a real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty be filed with the assessor on or before the taxable status date.

Authorizes members or officers of the state police who were previously firefighters receive credit for such previous firefighter service for the purposes of retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases short-term disability benefits for New York workers. It phases in higher weekly benefit rates (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over several years, starting in 2018. The changes apply to employees needing short-term disability leave due to illness or injury, directly affecting both workers and their employers who provide these benefits. The bill maintains a cap based on the state average weekly wage and allows the superintendent of financial services to delay increases if needed.

Includes in the class E felony of vehicular assault in the second degree, the causing of serious physical injury while operating a vehicle with suspended, revoked or no license; creates the crime of vehicular homicide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses selling goods or services in New York to clearly display the total price - including all mandatory fees - before a consumer pays. It defines "mandatory fees" as charges consumers can’t easily avoid (like default add-ons), while excluding taxes, delivery costs based on consumer choice, and optional extras. Businesses must show this total price prominently in ads and during checkout, ensuring it stands out from other text. Violations could lead to fines up to $1,000 per incident, enforced by the Attorney General, with exemptions for certain financial services and federal-compliant broadband/cable providers.