Asm. Harvey Epstein

Prohibits public utilities from using funds or being reimbursed by funds raised from ratepayers for contributions or gifts to political candidates, trade associations, public charities, and lobbyists, and for certain travel, entertainment and educational expenditures.

Establishes the "tenant opportunity to purchase act"; prevents the displacement of lower-income tenants in New York and preserves affordable housing by providing an opportunity for tenants to own or remain renters in the properties in which they reside.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the New York Healthy Vending Act, requires state agencies and vending machines on state-owned or leased property to offer healthier food and beverage options. It mandates that 25% of vending options be "healthy" immediately, increasing to 50% within two years and 75% after three years. "Healthy" options must meet strict nutritional standards, including limits on trans fat, sodium, calories, and sugar, with specific requirements for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or nutrients like calcium. Vending operators must clearly label calories for non-transparent packages and display healthy options prominently, with fines of $100 for first violations and $500 for subsequent ones. The law applies only to state property and does not require installing vending machines.

Allows public campaign funds to be used for disability access services including but not limited to captioning, sign language interpretation, assistive listening device, Braille, large print, communication access real-time translation and accessible transportation services and to be used for language interpretation and translation services.

Requires that any disposition of land or buildings by the New York City Housing Authority be subject to and comply with the provisions of New York City's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.

Establishes a civil cause of action for employees who are subjected to an abusive work environment; provides employers shall be vicariously liable for such work environment.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a new 0.5% tax on corporations when they repurchase their own issued shares (stock buybacks). It directly affects corporations that buy back shares, taxing the full value paid for those shares. The key provision replaces previous per-share tax rates with this flat 0.5% rate on the transaction value, effective immediately upon enactment. The tax applies to all buybacks made after June 1905 (as stated in the bill text), with no exemption for shares canceled within one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Section 2307 of New York's Public Health Law, which previously addressed individuals knowingly infected with venereal disease. The repeal removes legal provisions that could have led to prosecution of people with certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) who were aware of their status. The law takes immediate effect, preventing any future prosecutions or legal actions under the repealed section. This change directly affects individuals previously covered by this specific public health law provision, though it does not alter other STI-related laws or public health practices.

Provides for the licensing of professional and clinical music therapists encompassing the assessment, evaluation, and the therapeutic intervention and treatment of mental, emotional, developmental and behavioral disorders through the use of music.

Requires certain candidates to file a statement attesting to the veracity of statements regarding the candidate's educational history, and service, employment and residency record; provides for the filing of amended statements; provides penalties.