Asm. Harvey Epstein

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public elementary schools in the state to begin classes no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and public secondary schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. It directly affects public K-12 schools by setting mandatory start times for all academic years starting after the law takes effect. The key mechanism ties school funding to compliance: schools must report verified start times in annual reports to receive state apportionments, with noncompliant schools losing funding eligibility. The law takes effect immediately for all academic years beginning on or after its effective date.

Relates to banning the use of non-compostable produce stickers beginning January 1, 2026; provides civil penalties for violations; provides that fines shall be deposited into the environmental protection fund.

Permits other qualifying members of a household to qualify the household for the disability rent increase exemption when they are not the head of household.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases fines for landlords who fail to file rent registration statements on time, raising the penalty from $500 to $1,000 per unregistered unit each month. It directly affects property owners in New York City who miss filing deadlines for rent registration. The key provision requires the Housing Department to send notice via email and mail before imposing the fine, which applies retroactively to the month the filing was late. Landlords who later file late registrations avoid penalties for past rent overcharges caused by the delay.

Establishes a chief sustainability officer to coordinate efforts across state agencies and other state government entities to address climate change mitigation and climate sustainability efforts.

Maddy summaryBill A 2266 requires state agencies operating prisons and youth detention facilities to provide incarcerated individuals with free voice communication services (and optionally video or messaging), effective April 1, 2026. It prohibits facilities from charging inmates for these services or generating revenue from them, and mandates that communication services cannot replace in-person visit programs. The bill repeals the existing correction law section on this topic and adds new requirements for agencies managing correctional facilities. This directly affects all people confined in state correctional facilities by guaranteeing free communication access with external contacts.

Directs state agencies to adopt an embodied carbon decarbonization program; requires the office of general services to issue operational directives and guidance for common construction materials to reduce the amount of embodied carbon in such materials.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits early voting on federal holidays during the designated early voting period for elections. If the early voting window includes a federal holiday, voting is banned on that day, and election boards must add one extra day to the early voting period to compensate. The policy directly affects voters participating in general, primary, or special elections scheduled to overlap with federal holidays, ensuring they have equivalent voting opportunities. It modifies existing election law to automatically extend voting days without requiring new legislation for each holiday.

Maddy summaryBill A 54 prohibits the use of adhesive-based rodent traps, including glue traps and glue boards, in all state-owned or state-leased buildings. This means that state entities and those occupying state properties would be unable to use these specific trapping methods for rodent control. The prohibition would become effective one year after the bill is enacted into law.

Relates to the publication of information on public meetings; requires the office of information technology services to develop a mobile application and website to publish information on every public meeting held by a state or local public body; requires public bodies to report such meetings to the office of information technology services.