Asm. Steve Otis

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve how public utilities and municipalities handle customer complaints regarding gas, steam, and electric services. It requires these entities to investigate complaints within specific timeframes - fifteen business days for corporations and thirty for municipalities - and to provide written results with supporting documentation. The legislation also mandates that service cannot be cut off while a complaint is pending, provided the customer pays undisputed charges, and it establishes financial penalties for utilities that fail to meet these response deadlines.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal definition for "noncompliant state agencies" and creates a reporting system to track their progress in managing contracts with not-for-profit corporations. Under the new rules, an agency is considered noncompliant if it fails to submit renewal contracts to the attorney general within required timeframes or does not fully execute contracts before they start. Noncompliant agencies must submit monthly reports detailing their delays and corrective actions to the state comptroller, the legislature, and the affected not-for-profit organizations, with all reports made public on agency websites. Additionally, the bill clarifies that any written directives allowing services to begin before a contract is finalized must include a payment schedule and a warning that late payments will incur interest.

Provides that the superintendent of financial services shall establish standards for hurricane windstorm deductibles, creating uniformity in the operation of such deductibles with respect to the triggering event.

Requires certain information about the facility and what types of plans and procedures such facility has in place to be provided to prospective maternity patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have changed the recordkeeping rules for public notaries in New York State. It proposed that notaries only need to keep records for electronic notarizations and could stop maintaining paper records for traditional in-person signings. The legislation aimed to reduce administrative burdens by limiting what documents notaries must retain. Although the bill passed the Senate, it was ultimately vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local municipalities to form regional planning councils that can apply for federal and state grants. Under the new rules, these councils are officially recognized as government agencies, which removes previous barriers to receiving funding. Local governments must pass a resolution to agree on the terms of their collaboration before the council can seek these funds. The changes take effect roughly nine months after the law is signed.

Provides that for the purposes of the electronic open auction public bond sale pilot program, the term "municipality" shall mean a county or a city or town with a population of one hundred thousand or more.

Provides for expedited payments of abandoned property under a certain monetary threshold by the state comptroller pursuant to an abandoned property expedited payment program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pregnant individuals to sign up for state health insurance at any time without facing late fees or penalties. Coverage begins on the first day of the month a licensed medical professional confirms the pregnancy, unless the individual chooses to start later. The law applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance policies that cover prescription drugs to also cover prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. The law applies to standard medical insurance plans, medical expense indemnity corporations, and hospital service corporations. While the coverage is mandatory, insurers may still apply annual deductibles and coinsurance fees that are consistent with other benefits in the policy. The changes take effect on January 1st of the year following the bill's enactment.