Asm. Eddie Gibbs

Relates to rechargeable battery recycling; adds a battery used as the principal electric power source for an electric scooter or bicycle with electric assist to the definition of "rechargeable battery"; provides that a battery manufacturer may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute rechargeable batteries in the state unless the battery manufacturer is implementing or participating under an approved plan; allows a city with a population of one million or more to enforce through its own agencies.

Enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act" to require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing the state constitution to allow the legislature to adjust the number of Supreme Court justices in each judicial district based on population. Under the new rules, the number of justices could be increased if a district's population grows, with a limit of one justice for every fifty thousand people, or decreased if the population shrinks, provided the total does not fall below the current authorized number. The amendment also clarifies that judges from specific county courts in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island would serve as Supreme Court justices within their respective districts. Because this change requires a constitutional amendment, the bill must be published for three months before the next general election and approved by voters.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance policies to cover transvaginal ultrasounds when they are medically necessary and recommended by established clinical guidelines. The law defines these guidelines as evidence-based recommendations created by independent medical organizations using transparent methods and conflict-of-interest policies. It applies to pregnancy care provided under insurance plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The changes directly affect pregnant individuals seeking this specific type of ultrasound and the insurance companies that must provide coverage for it.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the list of school safety activities eligible for funding under the state's omnibus school violence prevention grant program. It specifically authorizes money to support anti-violence education programs that offer trauma support, counseling, and empowerment activities for students affected by gun violence. To qualify for these funds, the programs must be run by nonprofit organizations, provide evidence-based services, and include clear goals and assessment methods to measure their effectiveness. The legislation also clarifies that any funded program cannot use firearms for training or demonstrations.

Requires child protective services to orally and in writing disclose certain information to parents and caretakers who are the subject of a child protective services investigation; requires such oral and written disclosure to contain certain information regarding the rights of the person under investigation.

Ensures that construction and fabrication done off of a public work site for specific use only in a public work project be compensated at the prevailing wage rate.

Enacts the "just energy transition act"; creates the just energy transition task force; requires a study of competitive options to facilitate the phase-out, replacement and redevelopment of New York state's oldest and most-polluting fossil-fueled power generation facilities and their sites by the year 2040.

Prohibits conflicts of interest among board of elections employees; prevents a board of elections employee from remaining on the board of elections payroll while also a candidate for an office who has an election overseen by the board at which they are employed; allows for a member to remain on the board until 90 days before the general election if there is no primary for such office.

Enacts the "New York city Caribbean steel pan educational music program act"; requires community school boards in the city of New York to authorize, where reasonable, the use of school grounds in the summer months for use by any steel pan music organization to practice for the Labor Day Parade (West Indian Carnival).