Asm. Karl Brabenec

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3693) requires New York State universities to accept all credits earned by students at CUNY community colleges, eliminating barriers to transfer. It directly affects CUNY community college students seeking to continue their education at state universities. The law mandates that CUNY curricula be designed for seamless credit transfer and requires state universities to collaborate with CUNY trustees to ensure credits are accepted or treated as equivalent to their courses. This creates a standardized process for credit recognition, making transfers more predictable and straightforward for students. The policy change takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Enacts the New York State Iran divestment act; provides for sanctions against the financial and energy sectors of Iran unless a duly executed treaty is approved by two-thirds of the United States Senate.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's penal law to expand hate crime designations. It adds "actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer" as a protected characteristic, meaning attacks against police officers motivated by bias can now be classified as hate crimes. It also explicitly includes "making graffiti" (under section 145.60) as a specified offense that qualifies as a hate crime when committed due to bias against a protected characteristic. This change affects individuals who commit certain offenses (like assault or graffiti) with bias targeting law enforcement or other protected traits, potentially increasing penalties for those acts.

Requires lifetime post-release supervision for offenders convicted of rape in the first degree, criminal sexual act in the first degree, aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree, course of sexual conduct against a child in the first and second degrees or sexual abuse in the first degree when the other person is less than eleven years old; prohibits good behavior allowances against a determinate sentence for a person convicted of any such crimes.

Grants each of the representatives of the counties of Dutchess, Putnam, Orange and Rockland a vote during the proceedings of the metropolitan transportation authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax exemption for sales and installation of geothermal heat pump systems in both residential and commercial buildings. It exempts from sales tax the equipment and installation services for systems that use ground or groundwater for heating, cooling, and hot water - excluding recreational facilities. The exemption applies to residential systems (defined in new paragraph 47) and commercial systems (defined in new subdivision mm) under New York's tax law. Local governments may choose whether to apply these exemptions, as the bill modifies existing tax code provisions to include them.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 6049) adds "October 7th Remembrance Day" to New York State's official calendar of commemorative days, to be observed annually on October 7. It directly affects the state's official observance schedule but does not create new policies, funding, or requirements for individuals or organizations. The bill amends existing law by inserting this date into a list of established commemorative days (like Holocaust Remembrance Day or Juneteenth), with no additional provisions or mechanisms. As a procedural naming bill, it has no direct impact on citizens or government operations beyond formal recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new licensing requirement for organizations that manage payments for personal care services (fiscal intermediaries), effective April 1, 2027. It requires these entities to apply for a license, submit annual reports on costs and service details, and register personal assistants in a confidential state registry. The law directly affects fiscal intermediaries currently contracting with social services departments or health plans, mandating they meet specific standards for compliance, cultural competency, and financial reporting. It repeals outdated provisions while establishing new oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency in how funds for personal care services are managed.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Orange County to withdraw from the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD), the regional agency managing commuter rail services. To withdraw, Orange County must submit a public transportation plan ensuring continued rail service to New York City, secure a rail service agreement, and gain approval from the transportation commissioner. The bill specifically deems Orange County as having planned withdrawal within one year of the bill's effective date, streamlining its exit. This is a procedural change affecting Orange County's transit operations and its relationship with the MCTD, without creating new services or funding.

Directs the state board of regents to develop or adopt financial literacy learning standards for students in grades four through eight; provides that all public, charter, and nonpublic high schools shall offer and students at such schools shall successfully complete a course in financial literacy; directs the trustees of the state university of New York, in consultation with faculty, student representatives and subject matter experts, to develop a comprehensive financial literacy course; directs the trustees of the city university of New York, in consultation with faculty, student representatives and subject matter experts, to develop a comprehensive financial literacy course.