Asm. Al Taylor

Authorizes the commissioner of transportation to conduct a study relating to airborne ultrafine particles; analyzes the impacts of certain large hub commercial airports on airborne ultrafine particles; analyzes the characteristics of such particles; identifies effectiveness of mitigation measures.

Enacts the student journalist education act to protect student speech at educational institutions unless such speech is libelous, an invasion of privacy, or incites students to commit an unlawful act, violate school policies, or to materially and substantially disrupt the orderly operation of the school.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students in New York State schools to earn physical education credits by completing state-approved lifeguard certification training courses. It requires the Board of Regents to create rules enabling these courses to count toward the mandatory physical education requirements. The policy directly affects high school students who complete approved lifeguard training programs, potentially reducing the need for separate physical education classes. The change applies only to courses meeting state standards for lifeguard certification, not general physical education instruction.

Enacts the "New York state agency BIPOC asset management and financial institution strategy act" to ensure the promotion of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the state pension system and the New York city pension system's investments by mandating a minimum allocation of assets to BIPOC asset managers, BIPOC financial institutions, and BIPOC financial or professional service firms; addresses disparities in investment opportunities and fosters economic growth within BIPOC communities, aligning with best practices in investment management and bolstering the financial well-being of New York City and state and residents thereof (Part A); relates to fair investment practices by investment advisers within the state of New York (Part B).

Provides for the placement of a discreet nonapparent disability designation on non-driver identification cards, drivers' licenses and learners' permits; makes technical and conforming changes.

Regulates an artificial person's contributions towards election and ballot-issue activity; provides limitations on the general powers of a corporation.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes an additional tax on New York residents' long-term investment profits, specifically targeting income from capital gains, dividends, and other low-taxed investments. It applies to higher earners: individuals with taxable income over $400,000 (or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly) face a 7.5% tax on capital gains above those thresholds, with a higher 15% rate kicking in above $800,000 (or $1 million for couples). The tax phases in gradually over the first $50,000 or $100,000 of income exceeding the thresholds. It functions as an add-on to existing income tax, not a replacement, and will be administered by New York’s tax department.

Enacts the "Empowering People in Rights Enforcement (EMPIRE) Worker Protection Act"; relates to the delegation of state enforcement authority to private actors; authorizes an affected employee, whistleblower, representative organization or an organizational deputy to initiate a public enforcement action on behalf of the commissioner for certain provisions of the labor law, or any regulation promulgated thereunder.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords, lessors, sub-lessors, and grantors from requiring tenants to pay broker fees. It directly affects residential tenants by preventing landlords from charging them for brokerage services related to lease applications or tenancy. The law allows landlords to still charge for background and credit checks, but bans all other upfront fees like broker commissions. Exceptions apply to certain senior living communities and cooperative housing corporations under specific conditions.

Provides protections for telecommunications tower technicians, including requiring certain trainings during work hours without a loss of pay; requires certain reporting by bidders for telecommunication contracts.