Asm. William Colton

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax abatement for geothermal well systems in New York City (a city of over one million people). It provides a 10% reduction on eligible installation costs (capped at $62,500 annually) for systems placed in service between 2027 and 2029. Property owners must obtain professional certifications, comply with building codes, and maintain the system to qualify. The tax break applies only to systems directly used for heating/cooling buildings, excluding costs covered by grants.

Creates a temporary state pesticide commission to study the effects of the application of pesticides in cities with a population of one million or more.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's Penal Law to explicitly include animal fighting under the definition of criminal activity for enterprise corruption charges. It adds "section three hundred fifty-one of the agriculture and markets law relating to animal fighting" to the list of offenses that qualify as criminal activity in enterprise corruption cases. This change directly affects prosecutors and courts handling cases where animal fighting is part of a larger criminal enterprise, allowing such cases to be prosecuted under enterprise corruption statutes. The key mechanism is a technical update to the legal definition, not a new policy or funding measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts bottled water from sales and use taxes under specific conditions. It temporarily exempts bottled water sold through vending machines for $1.50 or less (coin-only machines) or $2 or less (other payment methods) until May 31, 2025. The bill also permanently adds "bottled water" to the list of tax-exempt items alongside water delivered via pipes. This directly affects retailers selling bottled water in vending machines within these price tiers and their customers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense called "endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree" for individuals who knowingly or recklessly create a serious risk of physical injury or long-term harm to a child under 17. It specifically applies when someone causes physical injury to a child under 7, or has prior convictions for certain crimes involving children under 17. The offense is classified as a class E felony, carrying more severe penalties than the existing "second degree" offense (a class A misdemeanor). The law directly affects caregivers, parents, or others responsible for children's safety who fail to prevent serious harm.

Relates to establishing sexual harassment prevention training protocols within the private sector including a model management policy and training program and how to properly disseminate information to employers and employees.

Prohibits the use of lead ammunition in the taking of wildlife on wildlife management areas, state forests, forest preserves, state parks or any other state-owned land that is open for hunting and on land contributing surface water to the New York city water supply.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 6988) requires insurance companies to offer an actuarially appropriate discount on personal injury protection and medical payment insurance coverages for drivers who install an outward-facing dashboard camera on their vehicle. The discount applies to non-commercial private passenger auto insurance policies, directly affecting drivers who purchase and install such cameras at their own expense. Insurance companies must allow minimal-burden proof of installation either in person or virtually. The discount amount can be adjusted by the insurance department if deemed non-actuarially appropriate.

Expands the scope of duties for public employers to prevent workplace violence including additional training, the creation of incident logs, expanding inspections and providing the commissioner the ability to enforce such provisions to prevent workplace violence.

Increases the penalty for multiple convictions of torturing, killing or failing to provide sustenance to an animal to a felony, if convicted within five years from the date of a prior conviction.