Asm. MaryJane Shimsky

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 19-member state task force to study racial and geographic disparities in food pricing between low-income and affluent communities. The task force will collect anonymized retailer data, conduct surveys, hold public hearings, and analyze factors like wholesale costs and benefit reimbursement timelines to identify price inequities. It must submit a final report with recommendations - including potential policy changes - within 18 months, after which the legislature must hold hearings and introduce implementing legislation within one session. The bill directly affects state agencies, retailers, and communities experiencing inflated food costs, focusing on factual analysis rather than immediate policy changes.

Establishes the "responsible fast food and public health act" which assesses annual fees against fast food chains to be used for educational outreach on obesity and nutrition; creates the childhood nutrition and obesity prevention fund.

Maddy summaryNew York's bill A 10317 designates Cabernet Franc as the state's official red wine grape, effective immediately. This symbolic designation does not change any laws affecting wine production, sales, or industry regulations. It formally recognizes Cabernet Franc as the representative red wine grape for New York State, replacing any prior designation under state law. The bill has no practical impact on winemakers, consumers, or state policy beyond this ceremonial recognition.

Establishes an annual food tax holiday exempting sales taxes on certain currently taxable food items, including hot and cold prepared foods intended for immediate consumption, and any other ready-to-eat item sold in a grocery store, deli or food counter, meals purchased at a restaurant including takeout and delivery orders, in November or December.

Extends provisions of law relating to providing local governments greater contract flexibility and cost savings by permitting certain shared purchasing among political subdivisions from June 30, 2023 until June 30, 2042.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets a 12-hour maximum for consecutive home care aide shifts, requiring explicit employee consent for any work exceeding this limit. It directly affects home care aides (including personal care attendants and home health aides) and their employers, covering all work arrangements like direct employment or agency staffing. Key provisions include prohibiting mandatory overtime without express consent, banning retaliation for refusing overtime, and allowing limited exceptions only during true emergencies after exhausting all staffing options. Employers violating these rules face civil lawsuits, penalties, and mandatory compensation for affected aides.

Enacts the accelerate solar for affordable power (ASAP) act to set a new target for distributed solar energy capacity and direct the public service commission to advance reforms to the utility interconnection process to ensure timely and cost-effective integration of new distributed energy resources.

Establishes the crime of corporate catastrophe; defines catastrophe as widespread injury or damage by explosion, fire, flood, avalanche, collapse of building, release of poison gas, radioactive material or other harmful or destructive force or substance, or by any other means of causing potentially widespread injury or damage; establishes crimes for causing, risking, or failing to prevent a catastrophe.

Relates to advertising for bids and offers; letting of contracts; raises the aggregate amount for sealed bids above the current levels for commodities from $20,000 to $75,000 and public works from $35,000 to $125,000.

Requires acupuncturists registered with the state to complete 45 hours of mandatory continuing education requirements every registration period; specifies acceptable courses of continuing education; provides exceptions.