Asm. Jo Anne Simon

Maddy summaryThis bill increases civil penalties for gas and electric utility companies that fail to comply with New York's public service regulations. It raises fines for violations from $100,000 to $2 million per offense (or up to 4% of annual revenue for combination utilities) and changes how ongoing violations are penalized. The key provision sets penalties based on either a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of the company's annual intrastate gross operating revenue (excluding government taxes/revenues), whichever is greater. It directly affects combination gas and electric corporations found non-compliant by the Public Service Commission. The changes apply to violations of the Public Service Law, with penalties assessed for each distinct violation or the full duration of ongoing non-compliance.

Maddy summaryBill A 4015 seeks to increase the financial penalties for certain speeding violations, directly affecting drivers convicted of these offenses. It raises the maximum fine for exceeding the speed limit by up to ten miles per hour, from $150 to $175. For drivers caught speeding more than thirty miles per hour over the limit, the maximum fine increases from $600 to $700. These revised penalties will apply to violations occurring on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits candidates and political committees from using campaign funds for personal expenses unrelated to elections or public office. It specifically bans spending on household costs (like mortgage or utilities), personal clothing, tuition, family salaries, entertainment, and country club dues unless directly tied to campaign activities or official duties. The law defines "personal use" as expenses benefiting the candidate personally or covering normal living costs that would exist regardless of the campaign. Exceptions allow campaign funds to cover legitimate office-related costs or expenses not reimbursed by the government. The bill clarifies these rules to prevent misuse of donated money while maintaining flexibility for campaign necessities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York manufacturers of personal care products (like lotions, shampoos, and cosmetics, but excluding soap) to list all actual chemical ingredients on product labels instead of using vague terms like "fragrance" or "preservative." It directly affects companies selling these products in New York, mandating full transparency by replacing generic terms with specific chemical names. The law takes immediate effect, applying to all personal care products distributed, sold, or offered for sale in the state for any use. This change aims to provide consumers with clear ingredient information previously obscured by broad descriptors.

Repeals certain provisions relating to use tax exemptions for certain race horses; prevents nonresident race horse owners from avoiding use tax in certain situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's Social Services Law to allow licensed creative arts therapists to bill Medicaid directly for their services, rather than requiring them to work through another provider. It specifically adds creative arts therapists to the list of mental health professionals (including mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists) already permitted to bill Medicaid for covered services within their scope of practice. The change applies only to services Medicaid already covers, and does not alter the therapists' existing scope of practice. The bill was referred to the Health committee on February 20, 2025.

Requires a call-blocking service to be provided in state contracts that include procurement of a voice service; provides that a voice service provider shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability for failure of a call-blocking service to block a call, or mistakenly blocking a call that should not have been blocked.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 2011 law that imposed a spending cap on the state's Medicaid program, specifically removing Sections 91 and 92 of Chapter 59. It directly affects how the state Department of Health manages Medicaid funding by eliminating the annual growth limit on state funds for Medicaid. The key mechanism is the complete removal of these specific legal provisions, allowing Medicaid spending to increase without the previous restriction. This change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Requires each institution within the state university of New York and the city university of New York offering in-person student instruction to have at least one vending machine making emergency contraception available for purchase.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7714) gives New York utility consumers the right to choose between analog and digital meters at no cost. It directly affects all electricity, water, and gas consumers (including tenants and building owners) by requiring utilities to: - Provide 90 days' written notice before installing digital meters; - Allow consumers to decline digital meters or request analog replacements without fees or penalties; - Replace digital meters with analog ones within 10 days if a consumer has health concerns related to radiofrequency radiation (or 30 days otherwise). Utilities must also track consumer choices for three years and comply with group decisions in multi-unit buildings where 50%+ of residents opt out.