Asm. Michael Benedetto

Directs the New York state energy research and development authority to establish a ride clean rebate program for electric assist bicycles and electric scooters; defines terms; provides a fifty percent rebate for eligible purchases.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the "Vote in Peace Act," restricts political activity near polling places. It prohibits electioneering (like campaigning or distributing materials), political buttons or posters, and alcohol consumption within a 100-foot radius of polling entrances during voting hours. The law also requires maintaining American flags and voter information displays and allows only specific, marked changes to entrances for disability access or public safety emergencies. It directly affects voters, candidates, and campaign workers by limiting political engagement near polling sites.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the income limit for senior citizens (62+) and disabled residents to qualify for property tax abatements under New York's real property tax law. It increases the maximum combined household income from $50,000 to $75,000 for both groups, effective July 1, 2025. The change directly affects seniors and disabled residents whose household income falls below this new threshold, allowing them to maintain tax abatements they previously lost at higher income levels. The bill amends existing tax law provisions to adjust these income limits annually, with the $75,000 standard replacing the prior $50,000 limit.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires debt settlement companies operating in New York to obtain a license from the Banking Department. It defines "budget planning" (a specific service distinct from debt settlement) and sets rules for handling client funds, mandating that all money from clients must be deposited into a dedicated account and paid directly to creditors. Companies must charge fair, reasonable, and clearly explained fees, and unlicensed operation is prohibited. Violations can result in fines up to $500 per contract, with a maximum civil penalty of $100,000. The law directly affects debt settlement businesses, excluding licensed attorneys and certain nonprofit organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits health care workers, including nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel, to their regularly scheduled work hours without mandatory overtime. Exceptions allow longer shifts only during declared emergencies (like natural disasters or public health crises), federal/state emergency declarations, or when completing an ongoing medical/surgical procedure. It specifically excludes doctors, residents, and security staff from this definition. The law aims to protect patient safety by preventing excessive staff fatigue through concrete scheduling limits. Employers cannot use on-call time to bypass these restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how "floor area" is measured for residential buildings under housing regulations. It specifies that spaces with higher ceilings (e.g., 12-24 feet tall count twice) are included multiple times in floor area calculations, while excluding cellars, low attics, outdoor balconies, parking spaces, and mechanical equipment areas (except where noted). It directly affects housing developers, building inspectors, and property owners who must comply with these measurement rules for zoning and construction. The changes apply to all residential buildings covered by the Multiple Dwelling Law, ensuring consistent application of floor area definitions.

Creates the health insurance guaranty fund to protect covered individuals against the failure or inability of a health insurer to perform its contractual obligations due to financial impairment or insolvency.

Relates to an increase in punishment for certain actions against on-duty auxiliary police officers such as criminally negligent homicide, assault or menacing of such officer.

Establishes through the department of health a drug checking services program to allow individuals to bring drugs or controlled substances and have them tested for contaminants, toxic substances, or hazardous compounds; requires the department to establish public health surveillance of the unregulated drug supply; provides exemptions for participants in the drug checking program from certain controlled substance offenses.

Enacts provisions relating to collective negotiations by health care providers with certain health care plans in certain counties; applies to health benefit plans that provide benefits for medical or surgical expenses incurred as a result of a health condition, accident or sickness, including an individual, group, blanket or franchise insurance policy or insurance agreement offered by certain enumerated entities.