Asm. Harvey Epstein

Establishes the electric landscaping equipment rebate program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and reduce noise pollution by promoting the adoption of quieter, zero-emission landscaping equipment; provides for rebates at the point of sale for applicants purchasing or leasing certain equipment; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

Requires manufactured home park owners to provide a written justification for rent increases in excess of three percent of the current rent; provides that increases in costs to justify such rent increase for ordinary maintenance or repair to meet the warranty of habitability obligations must be shown to be necessary.

Establishes protections for the rights of pregnant students, parenting students, and students with pregnancy-related conditions in schools; requires schools to establish liaison officers for such students and to disseminate information relating to resources available to such students; directs that rules be established to administer such rights and to establish minimum periods of time for a leave of absence at the student's option.

Prohibits the trade of farmed fur products if any of the fur was sourced from an animal that was raised, maintained, kept, or housed for all or part of its life on a fur farm.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets new rules for New York's Medicaid inspector general when auditing healthcare providers' billing for medical assistance payments. It defines key terms like "overpayment" and "clerical error," requires auditors to follow specific standards, and limits how they can spread audit findings to all claims (extrapolation) for minor, isolated errors. Providers must receive detailed audit reports explaining findings and have the right to submit supporting documentation before final decisions. The bill also mandates annual reporting on audit activities to state officials, including how many audits used extrapolation and their financial impact.

Enacts the "bird safe buildings act" directing the commissioner of general services to incorporate practices and strategies to reduce bird fatality resulting from collisions with certain state-owned or state-leased buildings, and for other purposes; requires the commissioner to develop a design guide that includes features, methods and strategies, and best practices for reducing bird fatalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates reporting requirements for lobbyists working with small nonprofits that lobby government. It raises the financial threshold for mandatory reporting from $5,000 to $10,000 annually for 501(c)(3) nonprofits (starting in 2026), while keeping it at $5,000 for other lobbyists. Nonprofits exceeding these thresholds must file bi-monthly reports detailing lobbying spending and pay a $200 registration fee, with reduced fees for those under the limit. The bill also requires clients (nonprofits) to submit semi-annual reports if they spend over $5,000 (or $10,000 for 501(c)(3)s) on lobbying. These changes aim to clarify and adjust transparency rules for smaller lobbying entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York public schools to provide plant-based food options upon request by a student or their parent/guardian. Schools must offer these meat-free alternatives (defined as USDA-recognized meat substitutes) at no extra cost compared to standard meals, and include this option in all food service descriptions. The policy applies to every meal or snack the student participates in, while allowing students to choose non-plant-based options if they prefer. It does not mandate schools to offer plant-based meals to all students, only to those who specifically request them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York State to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at state-owned parking facilities with 50+ spaces. Facilities with 50-200 spaces must provide charging for at least 10% of spaces (or equivalent electrical capacity), while larger facilities (over 200 spaces) must provide for 20%. All stations must meet minimum electrical specs (40 amps, 208 volts) and comply with local electrical codes. The Office of General Services will handle installation, maintenance, and necessary electrical upgrades, with contracted work requiring prevailing wages. The law takes effect April 1st after enactment.

Maddy summaryBill A 3026 redirects fines and penalties from environmental conservation law violations (such as those under titles 19, 21, and 27 of the environmental conservation law) into a dedicated "conservation enforcement account" within the state conservation fund. It affects environmental law enforcement officers and the Department of Environmental Conservation by requiring all such fines to fund enforcement activities like staffing, scientific work, and legal support. The bill mandates that these funds must supplement - rather than replace - existing enforcement budgets and requires annual expenditure reports to legislative leaders. Courts collecting fines must remit payments directly to this account, streamlining how penalty revenue supports environmental protection efforts.