Asm. Steve Otis

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 25-year retirement plan for firefighters employed by New York State's Division of Military and Naval Affairs, specifically airport firefighters (apprentice through level III) and training safety officers. Eligible members can retire after 25 years of creditable service - including prior work with organized fire departments and wartime service after World War I - receiving a pension equal to half their final average salary. Members must elect to join the plan within one year of the bill's effective date. The plan serves as an alternative to existing retirement options under state law.

Establishes a career and technical education (CTE) diploma; establishes a CTE pathway to a diploma shall be based on a curriculum designed to provide students with technical skills and shall demonstrate that the student is ready for a career as determined by regulations of the commissioner.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands school districts' authority to temporarily lease space not on school property when facilities are overcrowded, damaged, or under construction. It directly affects local school boards of education by allowing them to secure temporary locations for students during these circumstances. The key change adds "under construction" to the existing list of valid reasons for leasing, while requiring annual approval from the state education commissioner for each lease. The bill takes effect on July 1 following its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires developers seeking permits for major projects near low-income or minority neighborhoods to submit a detailed public engagement plan. The plan must include maps of the community, locations of sensitive sites like schools, a schedule for at least three public meetings, and materials in plain language translated into common community languages. Applicants must also provide quarterly progress reports and ensure community input influences project design. This applies to projects within one mile of designated disadvantaged communities, aiming to improve transparency and community involvement in environmental permitting.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the MTA to create a half-fare program for eligible New York State veterans using public transportation. It applies specifically to veterans who are New York residents, honorably discharged from U.S. military service, and possess a valid New York veteran ID card. The MTA must establish the program but cannot fund it from its regular operating or capital budgets; instead, it can only implement it using state funds specifically allocated for this purpose. The bill defines "veteran" clearly and mandates that the program be implemented with state appropriations.

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.

Relates to gender balance on boards of state and local public authorities; provides that all appointive state and local authorities heretofore or hereafter established by law or resolution shall have recommendations for appointments, or reappointments that are gender balanced.

Enacts the "New York artificial intelligence transparency for journalism act"; requires developers of generative artificial intelligence systems or services to post certain information on the developer's website regarding video, audio, text and data from a covered publication used to train the generative artificial intelligence system or service; allows journalism providers to bring an action for damages or injunctive relief against developers.

Relates to the definition of "population" for purposes of providing substantially equal weight for the population of that local government in the allocation of representation in the local legislative body.

Requires electric corporations, gas corporations, steam corporations and water-works corporations to adopt the common equity ratio and rate of return on equity authorized by the public service commission unless such utility can successfully demonstrate that such authorized rates do not meet their capital and/or operating needs.