Asm. Doug Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new annual spending growth cap for state operating funds, directly affecting the governor and legislature when creating budgets. The cap limits yearly increases in state spending to the average inflation rate from the prior three years (calculated using the Consumer Price Index). It requires the governor to certify budget compliance and gives the comptroller authority to verify limits, with exceptions only for emergencies declared by the governor and approved by a two-thirds legislative vote. The bill does not change the rainy day fund's capacity, as the title's mention of that detail isn't elaborated in the actual provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the permissive use of marijuana for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) employees who perform safety-sensitive tasks, such as driving fire apparatus, rescue operations, or providing emergency medical care. It requires fire agencies to implement drug testing (including preemployment, random, and cause-based tests) to ensure these employees are not impaired by cannabis, following federal standards. Additionally, volunteer firefighters or EMS staff using medical cannabis must immediately report prescriptions to their agency, which will then assess their fitness for duty with a medical director. The law directly affects volunteer safety personnel in fire and EMS agencies, prioritizing public and workplace safety by restricting cannabis use in critical roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New York State Power Authority to permit certain state and local governments, as well as non-profit corporations, to bundle electrical services with other utility offerings. It specifically allows counties, municipalities, school districts, fire districts, and similar entities to combine electricity purchases with other services through the Power Authority. The law changes the Power Authority’s existing authority to enable this bundling option, which could simplify procurement for eligible public and non-profit organizations. This is a direct policy change affecting how these entities manage their electricity contracts.

Creates a police safety equipment grant program to provide for services and expenses related to police safety equipment; directs a sum of $30,000,000 to be appropriated to such program.

Creates the presumption of intent to sell when a person is in possession of forty or more individual packages containing heroin with an aggregate weight of 4.0 grams.

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.

Requires that any rules or regulations promulgated by the department of environmental conservation pursuant to the climate action fund are subject to a vote of the legislature and must be approved by a majority vote prior to implementation.

Requires all public school districts, charter schools and non-public schools in the state that participate in the national school lunch program or school breakfast program as provided in the national child nutrition act to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to the student.

Regulates the purchase and sale of catalytic converters; permits only licensed or regulated scrap metal dealers, vehicle dealers, vehicle dismantlers or repair shops to possess, purchase or sell catalytic converters; makes unlawful possession an E felony; requires restitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Todd's Law," increases sentencing severity for thefts targeting vulnerable individuals. It applies when someone steals property necessary for daily living (like medication or mobility aids) from elderly or disabled people, upgrading the crime category (e.g., turning a misdemeanor into a felony). The law automatically raises the offense level for larceny convictions involving such property, regardless of the original charge. It directly affects defendants convicted of these specific thefts and aims to address crimes against vulnerable populations through sentencing changes. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.