Asm. Amanda Septimo

Maddy summaryThis bill updates rules for when construction projects must pay local prevailing wages. It applies to projects using at least 20% public funds (or $3 million/$5 million in public funds) for construction costs. Exemptions include single-family homes, small nonprofits, and certain affordable housing developments meeting specific affordability requirements. This affects contractors and developers working on qualifying projects funded in part by public money.

Establishes the green affordable pre-electrification program to assist owners and tenants in residential properties in curing structural and building code defects which render the properties ineligible for improvements or projects relating to energy savings, green-house gas emissions reductions, climate change adaptation and resiliency project grants; establishes the energy efficiency and electrification interagency coordination group to coordinate between certain energy efficiency programs.

Directs the legislature to ensure that the number of judges and justices in districts and courts is sufficient; directs the chief administrator of the courts to report on the sufficiency of the number of judges and justices in each court and to make recommendations on such numbers.

Provides interest rate limitations for financing arrangements and the extension of consumer credit; relates to the definitions of criminal usury in the first and second degrees; relates to the functions of the attorney general regarding rental purchase agreements.

Expands confidentiality provisions relating to certain investigations of medical or quality assurance or a medical or dental malpractice prevention program, to include statements made by any persons at such reviews who are a party to an action which was reviewed at such proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a State Code Enforcement Ombudsperson office within the Department of State to improve oversight of local building and fire code enforcement. It directly affects local governments (cities, towns, counties) by requiring them to comply with minimum code enforcement standards, with the ombudsperson investigating complaints, monitoring compliance, and making recommendations to the secretary of state. Key mechanisms include appointing a qualified ombudsperson to handle complaints, place temporary oversight officials in localities (up to one year), and require local staff to cooperate with investigations. The ombudsperson cannot override local authority but can recommend interventions if standards aren't met, using a formal process for complaint resolution and reporting.

Repeals the rebates for stock transfer tax paid; dedicates funds of the stock transfer tax fund and stock transfer incentive fund to various funds; establishes the safe water and infrastructure action program.

Enacts the "utility penalty adjustment"; adjusts utility penalties to account for inflation; increases such penalties and ties them to inflation after January 1, 2027.

Relates to the disclosure of third-party consumer litigation financing agreements in which there is a right to receive compensation or proceeds from the consumer that is contingent on and sourced from any proceeds of the civil action, by settlement, judgment, or otherwise.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new license allowing supermarkets meeting specific size and sales criteria to sell wine in sealed containers (like bottles or cans) for off-premises consumption. To qualify, a store must primarily sell food (over 65% of revenue) and be at least 4,000 square feet, with a $10,000 franchise fee required. Licenses cannot be granted within 200 feet of schools/churches or 500 feet of liquor stores. Local governments can set time/place rules but cannot block licenses that meet these state standards.