Asm. Tony Simone

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York state government entities to use qualification-based criteria when selecting contractors for certain public works projects using design-build contracts. It mandates that agencies evaluate responses to public requests for qualifications based on factors like team experience, financial capability, past performance, compliance with labor laws, and diversity business certifications (minority/women-owned businesses and small businesses). The law specifies that contractors must be chosen based on demonstrated qualifications rather than the lowest bid, particularly for projects covered under existing project labor agreements. This directly affects state agencies and contractors involved in public construction projects governed by Chapter 749 of the laws of 2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages) and their public bodies (like boards and commissions) to use web-based videoconferencing for meetings under specific conditions. Key provisions mandate that meetings must include closed captioning, maintain physical locations for public attendance, require written procedures for remote participation, and ensure recordings are posted online with transcripts upon request. It also requires public notice detailing videoconferencing options, accessibility features (like ASL interpretation), and locations where the public can attend. The bill establishes a "municipal hybrid meeting trust fund" to support implementation and expires July 1, 2026.

Prohibits discrimination against and harassment or bullying of students by employees or students on private, religious or denominational school property or at a school function; provides immunity from civil liability for a person making a good faith report of discrimination, harassment or bullying to authorities.

Establishes the healthy and safe students act; requires comprehensive sexuality instruction for students in grades K-12 which includes a model curricula for comprehensive sexuality education and at a minimum conforms to the content and scope of national sexuality education standards.

Enacts the "New York city small business rent stabilization act" instituting a commercial rent control system in the city of New York; creates the commercial rent guidelines board.

Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding; authorizes the department to compile and make publicly available guidance and reference material related to consideration of complete street design.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits liquor stores in New York to sell four specific non-alcoholic items: tonic water, bitters, maraschino cherries, and dealcoholized wine. It amends existing liquor store regulations to explicitly include these items as permissible sales, meaning they no longer count as "engaging in another business" when sold at licensed premises. The change applies directly to liquor and wine wholesalers and retailers who already hold licenses under New York's alcoholic beverage control law. This policy update clarifies that these items may be sold alongside alcoholic beverages without requiring additional licensing or violating current business restrictions.

Enacts the "Big Five African Trophies Act" relating to banning the importation, transportation and possession of certain African wildlife species and products.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New York pharmacists to administer FDA-approved progestin-only contraceptive injections for birth control, expanding access to contraception. Pharmacists must complete a patient risk assessment, provide educational materials, and notify a patient's primary care provider (with opt-out allowed) before administering the injection. They must also complete required training and may refuse service if safety concerns exist. The law directly affects patients seeking contraception - particularly those without regular doctors - and pharmacists who provide this service.

Relates to returnable bottles; adds noncarbonated soft drinks, certain noncarbonated fruit or vegetable juices, coffee and tea beverages, carbonated fruit beverages and cider to the definition of "beverage"; provides that beginning April 1, 2027, the handling fee will be six cents for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator from a dealer or operator of a redemption center; directs the multi-agency bottle bill fraud investigation team to submit a report on findings of pervasive bottle redemption fraud in New York state.