Asm. Tony Simone

Requires health insurance for state officers and employees who receive health insurance benefits from the state to take effect immediately upon employment.

Establishes the public water justice act; prohibits sale of waters of the state unless otherwise specifically authorized; establishes a public water justice fund for royalties and fees collected from persons or entities authorized to sell waters of the state.

Requires that an organization applying for grant funding shall provide to arts agencies a certification that it will enter into a labor peace agreement with at least one bona fide labor organization either where such bona fide labor organization is actively representing employees providing services covered by the organization seeking such grant funding or upon notice by a bona fide labor organization that is attempting to represent employees who will provide services to the organization seeking such grant funding; relates to prevailing wage requirements for not-for-profit theaters and payment of their employees on productions funded by the New York state council on the arts or arts agencies of localities.

Relates to prohibiting the release of certain balloons; prohibits a person from knowingly or intentionally releasing outdoors any balloons constructed of electrically conductive material filled with helium or a gas lighter than air; provides exceptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the State University of New York (SUNY) board of trustees from its role as a charter entity for approving charter schools. It amends education law to make the Board of Regents the sole entity authorized to issue charters, eliminating SUNY as an option. This change directly affects school districts applying for charter status and SUNY, which no longer holds this approval authority. The bill focuses on procedural changes to the charter school application process without altering charter school operations or student eligibility.

Relates to excluding renewable energy pilot projects and certain energy system-related payments in lieu of taxes from tax cap calculations, and to the establishment of a distributed generation energy development program that provides a single forum for state-level appeals for proposed distributed generation energy facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 21st each year as "Down Syndrome Awareness Day" in New York State. It adds this date to the state's official calendar of commemorative days, which already includes other observances like Holocaust Remembrance Day and Juneteenth. The bill does not create new policies or funding; it simply establishes a formal recognition day to raise awareness about Down syndrome. This designation affects all New York state entities and residents, encouraging official observances and educational efforts on that date.

Relates to the statute of limitations for actions based on discriminatory practices in employment; establishes action must be commenced within six years.

Requires the disclosure of certain information when an agency responds to a request for law enforcement disciplinary records, including information a victim alleges regarding sexual misconduct.

Provides that contributions up to the first $250 of any contribution amount shall be matchable contributions under the public campaign financing program.